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By Nina Kumar

Meghna’s parents wanted her to be an engineer, but she is a teacher. They also wanted her to be married, but she wasn’t. Like all good Indian parents, they have worked their connections to set up meetings with potential spouses. Meghna doesn’t care because she has found the love of her life in her best friend Seth – until she receives an invitation and the request to be his “best person” at the wedding. Karthik is focused on his career and has no interest in getting married because of his parent’s terrible marriage. So, when his parents want him to endure another meeting with a potential match, he agrees to keep them appeased. But there is something about Meghna. Although neither is interested in getting married, a fake engagement can help Karthik with his promotion at work and Meghna with surviving Seth’s wedding. But, as real feelings grow from false pretenses, can they admit that this might be for real?

This is a fun, funny, heartfelt story about trying (and failing) to live up to our parent’s expectations, deciding what is important (personally and professionally), and taking a leap of faith for love (despite what you always thought you wanted). I did feel like this combination of tropes has been used a lot and the idea that Karthik’s employer would favor him for a promotion if he were engaged seemed like an HR claim waiting to happen.

The audiobook is charming, with excellent narration for the main characters and many supporting characters.