I love the nuance that this author uses with her characters. Mira has so much going on in her life that she is just pushing aside. She’s just moving forward and ignore my all the things that are expected of her but are not serving her.
This book is much more a journey of the heart, not a romance. There is a love story within but it’s not the heart if the story.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author, for an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
The premise of the book drew me in but once I started reading it, I just couldn’t get into it at all.
I wish the author, publisher and all those promoting the book much success and connections with the right readers.

There’s something special about this book that I can’t quite pin down. It starts out light, like the romcoms Mira loves. We get gorgeous details of Indian food and wedding preparations. The HEA ending is satisfying.

But there’s a surprising amount of tension as well, in a love story communicated through letters from decades ago, and in what Mira and Krish go through while solving the mystery of the ring. The author did not shy away from difficult themes, and the tension created made Mira’s dilemma all the more poignant for me. I found myself caring about her story more than I often do when reading romance.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.

There’s Something About Mira is an engaging story about fate, family and what it takes to discover what truly makes you happy. Sonali Dev’s emotional tale is Mira’s personal journey and well worth reading.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Mira’s always had a tough time living up to her immigrant parents’ expectations. But when, at the old age of 30, she’s finally engaged to a successful doctor from their South Asian community, they are thrilled but convinced she’s going to mess up this opportunity. Her fiancé Druv plans an engagement getaway for the pair to NYC, only to cancel because of his important, busy schedule. So Mira steps out of her comfort zone and goes on her own. Once she arrives in New York, she meets up with her disowned brother, then finds a ring in Times Square. Naturally she goes on social media to locate who the ring belongs to, and in the process finds herself teaming up with Krish, a reporter who also wants to uncover the owner. Can they actually work together to find the ring’s owner, even while they seem to get on each other’s nerves? And does fate play a role?

Mira is a character who took a while for me to warm up to, but once I did, I was completely invested in her happiness. Mira begins the book as little wishy washy and naive, and it’s not always easy to understand her attachment to her bland yet perfect on paper fiancé. Once she heads to New York and steps outside her comfort zone, though, the story picks up and each twist and turn is welcome.

This book is billed as a romcom, which it definitely is not. That just makes it a different book than I expected, not a bad one. There are a few amusing quips, but Mira’s story is an emotional one about how family dynamics and abuse continue to shape people and their choices long after childhood. I also liked the multiple discussions of queer identity and how queer people have always built relationships, no matter the time period or setting.

There’s Something About Mira is an emotional and engaging tale. Mira’s journey is many experiences, from growing up in an immigrant community to conforming to her parents’ expectations to finally finding her own happiness. Sonali Dev creates indelible characters and it’s wonderful to spend time with them.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT MIRA by Sonali Dev is a Desi contemporary coming of age novel. Mira gets engaged to the “man of her dreams,” and yet, he sends her on an engagement trip to New York all alone. There, she finds this beautiful heirloom ring on the sidewalk, and a great search ensues to find the owner. She meets a young, attractive, Desi (because of course), journalist that wants to write a story about the ring, and also help her find the owner.

As soon as she meets the journalist, she can’t help but feel like he isn’t “Desi’ enough. He’s rude, he’s brash, he seems unkempt. Later, her brother teases her for glaring at the journalist after they’ve just met. Mira is a judgmental Desi auntie in training, not even trying to hide her glares. Also, PLEASE, I’m begging, let’s leave the “not Desi enough” conversations behind. They’re so pointless, and they do NOTHING to create a sense of solidarity and community within the South Asian diaspora.

Mira continues her journey around New York, searing for the ring with the help of the not-Desi-but-Desi journalist. She also is aided by her twin brother and his partner, who live in New York. This was another odd side plot that I just couldn't get fully behind.

Mira and her parents haven’t talked to her brother for two years because he’s gay. Mira’s trip to New York is partially motivated by the desire for her brother to attend her wedding, despite the fact she hasn’t seen him in TWO YEARS. Her brother’s partner is kind and sweet to Mira, despite her abandoning him and choosing her parents over her twin. I felt as if this idea of Desi parents abandoning their LGBTQ+ child is overused in Desi media, and it's truly a shame that it appears in this book as well. I was very frustrated with the fact that even Mira, a "modern" woman, chooses to side with her homophobic parents over supporting and defending her brother.

I understand the appeal of an unlikable main character, but writing a Desi girl who can’t stand up to her parents and is pushed (ie: forced) into an unwanted engagement is such a TIRED trope. Eventually, I came around to liking the last third of the book, as Mira obviously goes through a journey of self discovery and growth along with Krish and her brother.

I'd really enjoyed THE VIBRANT YEARS by Sonali Dev, but unfortunately I can't say the same for this one. I'm hoping she will continue to write about the difficult topics, but as a subjective reader, I can't help but have certain thoughts and feelings about situations presented in a story. I can't say that all South Asian readers will dislike this book, as I'm sure there are South Asian woman who will see themselves in Mira. However, I can say that this book simply wasn't for me!

3.5 stars

Mira is almost 30 years old, engaged to be married but ends up going on her engagement weekend without her intended. She is alone for the first time in New York City. Red flags right there.

An interesting story that had all the elements for a great read but still fell a little flat for me. I enjoyed Mira's character, her background, relationship with her parents and brother. This book is a story of self discovery that has a YA feel but had some good banter at times.

There's Something About Mira is a journey from Chicago, to NYC and off to India for wedding clothes shopping. It was a good lesson in traditonal Indian weddings and food, lots of food talk. It's a story of self discovery and learning how to take a stand.

My thanks to Lake Union for a digital arc in exchange for a honest review.

I really enjoyed Sonali Dev's There's Something About Mira. Mira Salvi is engaged to a surgeon, and her Indian parents could not be happier. Mira and her fiancé plan a getaway to New York City, but her fiancé has to cancel when his partner is injured and can't cover for him. Mira goes alone and visits her ostracized brother and his partner. While in NYC, she collides with a toddler, falls on the ground, and finds a ring on a necklace. She becomes obsessed with finding the owner. When she posts about the ring on social media, it goes viral and attracts the attention of journalist Krish Hale, who wants to help her find the owner. Her quest takes her to India, and to some not so safe places. She begins to question her relationship with her fiancé, and definitely wants to defy her parents and invite her brother & his partner to her wedding, if there's going to be one. I love Sonali Dev's novels, the Indian family dynamic makes them fresh reading, and this book has even more tension than most of her novels. I highly recommend There's Something About Mira. Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an advance readers' ebook to review.

Sonali Dev’s writing is simply breathtaking. Even the simplest of lines shimmer with a subtle beauty that I cannot get over. This story though, was something else entirely from any romance I’ve read. It came in contact with, battled, and overcame many issues that we as people face every day - abortion, sexual assault, familial manipulation, grief, lost love, and so much more. I list these not only as main points featured, but also as trigger warnings for those who may need them. That being said though, Sonali Dev faces all of these topics with such grace and care, that I felt seen and comforted by the way the characters faced these events in their individual stories. ‘

I absolutely loved the characters. Mira and Krish, as friends and partners in crime were everything. Mira learning who she was through her troubled relationship both with her mother and with her estranged brother, was magical. Watching Mira blossom through the adventure of returning a lost ring to its rightful owner and other half in the crowded city of New York was inspiring, emotional, and satisfying. I love how Sonali puts her characters into roles where, as women, they’re taught to be less than they are, to quiet themselves to the world around them until one day they realize no - and break the mold.

As someone who has faced many of the hard times brought up throughout this story, as someone who believes in true love and fate and blowing up the world around you to make the one you deserve, a happy one, I connected so deeply to Mira and her experience.

I also loved the humor woven throughout the story that helped to lessen the heavier topics that she tackled with such class. I will never stop talking about her books, I started with The Vibrant Years (which I loved as well) but this one felt different, it featured adventure alongside the lesson of finding yourself and letting the right person in and addressed topics in a way that made me think and will continue to long after I closed the last page.

There’s Something About Mira is a lovely blend of complex family relations, romance and self discovery. It follows Mira, a young Indian woman who lives in Chicago and is facing her upcoming nuptials in a few months. She goes to NYC alone to visit her brother and ends up finding a lost ring. Thus begins a multi layered story about cultural issues and exploration, as Mira journeys to return the ring to its original owner and then to look for the ring owner’s long-estranged lover.

I had thought the story would be mostly a romcom with some mystery and was pleasantly surprised to find a touching, well handled adventure story about cultural and generational divide and self growth. I found the story behind the lost ring to be very moving. I also loved the multidimensional characters with real, relatable issues. The relationship between Mira and the journalist was the only issue I had. I felt it lacked the chemistry and substance that the cultural tie storyline had in abundance. Overall strongly recommend! This could be a hidden gem for this year. Thank you Netgalley and Lake Union for the arc!

'There's Something About Mira' is a beautifully written tale of Mira figuring out herself and how she wants her life to be in this world. We meet Mira on the verge of getting married, however, her finance never seems to have time for her, including going on their engagement-moon, which Mira goes on by herself. I loved how Mira rekindled her relationship with her brother and address some really hard issues and themes. I loved Krish, who helps Mira figure out the mysterious ring and necklace. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

There's Something About Mira was a special story. I believe it is my first by author Sonali Dev. Mira stumbles upon a ring while visiting New York and is compelled to find the owner. This act begins a quest that awakens Mira and changes her life in unexpected ways. The author so sensitively explores themes of identity and acceptance in this book. The characters were authentic and lovable. This tale also examines a variety of relationships and truly celebrates love. I was enthralled with this story and stayed up way past my bedtime to read the conclusion. Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read an early copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

There’s Something About Mira
3.5 ⭐️

This was definitely a different story than I was expecting at the beginning, but it had some good depth to it!

Mira is off to visit her brother and visit NYC without her fiancé when she ends up finding a lost ring. She and a journalist traverse the city trying to get it back to its original owner, but the story doesn’t end there as they continue learning about the ring’s history.

First, I don’t love cheating stories and this one doesn’t have some emotional cheating in it. That being said, I enjoyed the second half of the book a lot more than the first. It had some solid depth to the plot and I liked Mira’s growth as a main character.

Thanks to @netgalley for this ARC!

I went into this book super excited, but after a few chapters that excitement was lost. I wasn't captivated by the story and didn't really care how it ended. I wasn't invested into the characters and they all kinda felt flat and generic to me. A light read for sure, but I was expected more depth to the story and the characters.

There’s Something About Mira by Sonali Dev is a charming and insightful novel that explores themes of self-discovery, family dynamics, and cultural identity. Mira, a successful young woman with a seemingly perfect life, embarks on a solo trip to New York after a series of disappointments.

When she finds a lost ring, her life takes an unexpected turn. Her quest to reunite the ring with its owner leads her on a journey of self-reflection, forcing her to question her own happiness and the path she has chosen. The story seamlessly weaves together a compelling mystery with nuanced character development. Mira’s journey is relatable, as she navigates the complexities of her relationships with her fiancé, her family, and herself.

The supporting characters, particularly her brother Rumi and his fiancé Saket, are well-developed and add depth to the narrative. Dev’s writing is engaging and fluid, drawing the reader into Mira’s world. The exploration of South Asian culture and the challenges faced by immigrant families adds another layer of depth to the story. While the plot may be somewhat predictable at times, the book’s strength lies in its insightful exploration of human connection and the importance of finding one’s true purpose. There’s Something About Mira is a heartwarming and thought-provoking read that will resonate with readers who are searching for meaning and authenticity in their own lives.

Received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book!

Recommended. Touches on a lot of topics - love, marriage, family, first generation immigrant experience, the desi experience, finding oneself - that doesn't do it justice, though.

Sonali Dev is a gifted storyteller. Her books always feel like basking in the warm sun while still challenging me to think and feel differently. There's Something About Mira is a great book about identity, love, family, culture, community, and so much more. Dev tells Mira's coming of age story with kindness and wraps the entire thing up in a cozy mystery that I just needed to solve. I adored the way in which Dev brings the humanity forward with each character that appears on page. I will read anything she writes.

This captivating story still has a hold on my heart. The heroine, Mira, is a devoted daughter, saying and doing all the right things. This includes her engagement to Dr Druv, the match of her parents' dreams. However, a solo trip to New York due to unforeseen circumstances, finds Mira partnering up with a journalist, Krish, to locate the owner of a lost ring. Along the way a forbidden love story is revealed that catapults Krish and Mira into the fray.
Secrets are best left to be discovered when reading this beautiful tale. Ms Dev's writing was lush, lyrical, and poignant. My senses came alive during the many adventures in New York and especially India. So many emotions were evoked that caused a few tears and also several cheers. I highly recommend!

4.5 stars
Once again, Sonali Dev delivers. I absolutely love the way she writes- the characters are SO REAL and are in actual real-life scenarios, and I appreciate any author who can do that. The story itself was very interesting and kept me engaged throughout. I finished this entire book in two sittings because I simply could not put it down.
I will definitely be recommending this to others.

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

Sonali Dev is a Must Read Author for me and this latest book just solidifies that!

There's Something About Mira is full of complex family relations and expectations, and an emotional journey that Dev writes so well.
I was a little slow at the start and as soon as the plot thickened, I really appreciated Mira's growth and Krish's part in it. Not everything is as perfect as it seems while Mira is getting ready for her wedding in a few short months and it was so impactful to read as she is coming to her own realizations instead of trying to stay in the small boxes her parents need her to be in. I was a little worried towards the end and yet the epilogue had me tearing up in the best way.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Lake Union for an eARC in exchange for a review!

There’s Something About Mira tells the story of Mira who seems to have everything in perfect order, but who realises her life just masks herself. Over the course of the book she finds out who she is and who she wants to be. Part of the book is set in India, which I loved.

Nevertheless, I’ve got mixed feelings about this book. It does a few things I don’t really like, but Sonali Dev is of course a very skilled writer so I can mostly go past them. Mira is an interesting, layered character and I liked how the journey to finding the owner of the ring leads to finding herself. I also appreciated how complicated family relationships were portrayed. But at the same time, some of it was resolved very easily at the end of the book. The homophobia (not from the MCs) was painful to read, and while Rumi has a HEA, I feel there should have been a queer relationship without any issues in the book as well.
The book also included some adventure and I’m not sure that was entirely necessary, although it showed of course the difference between Krish and Mira’s teenage experience. The main aspect of the book that didn’t quite work for me is the idea that everything surrounding the ring was meant to be.
But as I said, I think Sonali Dev is an amazing writer. One of the little things I absolutely loved was one of the characters asking Mira if she was forced into her marriage, adding that force can come in many forms. This is so true, and often ignored.
So yes, mixed feelings. I realise that the issues I have with the book are very much me so other readers may completely fall in love with the book.