There's Something About Sweetie
Simon Pulse, 2019
Agent: Thao Le
The irresistible companion novel to the New York Times bestseller When Dimple Met Rishi, which follows Rishi’s brother, Ashish, and a confident fat athlete named Sweetie as they both discover what love means to them.
Ashish Patel didn’t know love could be so…sucky. After being dumped by his ex-girlfriend, his mojo goes AWOL. Even worse, his parents are annoyingly, smugly confident they could find him a better match. So, in a moment of weakness, Ash challenges them to set him up.
The Patels insist that Ashish date an Indian-American girl—under contract. Per subclause 1(a), he’ll be taking his date on “fun” excursions like visiting the Hindu temple and his eccentric Gita Auntie. Kill him now. How is this ever going to work?
Sweetie Nair is many things: a formidable track athlete who can outrun most people in California, a loyal friend, a shower-singing champion. Oh, and she’s also fat. To Sweetie’s traditional parents, this last detail is the kiss of death.
Sweetie loves her parents, but she’s so tired of being told she’s lacking because she’s fat. She decides it’s time to kick off the Sassy Sweetie Project, where she’ll show the world (and herself) what she’s really made of.
Ashish and Sweetie both have something to prove. But with each date they realize there’s an unexpected magic growing between them. Can they find their true selves without losing each other?
Accolades:
• 2020 Amelia Bloomer/Rise: A Feminist Book Project List for YA fiction
• Selected as one of NPR's Favorite Books of 2019
• Featured in Epic Reads list of The 47 Best Romance Books & Love Stories in YA
• Featured on the Today Show for Summer Reads for teens or kids
• Kobo Books Best YA Read of the Month
• Amazon's Best of the Month for May's Romance for 2019
• Featured on Bustle Must Read Romances of Spring 2019
Reviews:
I love Sandhya Menon’s young adult books because she always writes three-dimensional teens who learn from each other and grow while falling in love. She also renders complicated, fully realized families and an insightful examination of desi culture. And her latest novel is a shrewdly radical endorsement for fat acceptance.
—Jessica Reedy, NPR producer, Pop Culture Happy Hour
—School Library Journal
"Menon, as always, champions teens by allowing them the space and pace to make decisions, succeed or fail, learn, and blossom. This companion book to her successful debut, When Dimple Met Rishi (2017), hits all the right notes and delivers a joyful relationship that discards society’s dictates about appearance in favor of loving the whole person. Give this to readers who love a good rom-com with a message."
—Booklist Review (Starred)
"In addition to the body positivity going on here, there is a relationship blooming. It’s a fun one especially if you enjoy the contract dating trope. If you loved Dimple and Rishi, you’re sure to enjoy this sweet romance."
—Rich in Color
“There's something about the way Sandhya Menon writes love stories. I'm head-over-heels for this charming, funny, romantic, life-affirming book.”
—Becky Albertalli, New York Times bestselling author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda and Leah on the Offbeat
"A thoroughly delightful romance featuring a spirited, confident, and lovable heroine and an unexpectedly dashing romantic hero. Add to your must-read shelves!”
—Melissa de la Cruz, New York Times bestselling author of Alex & Eliza and Love & War
"This sugary romance will certainly be a taste call, but for those readers who can’t get enough syrup on their gulab jamun, it’s an unapologetic, wish-fulfilling dessert buffet...Swoon-prone readers will wish the Patel boys came in six-packs."
—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books