Sanskari Sweetheart coming May 20th from HarperCollins; 304 pages
About the Author: “Ananya Devarajan is the author of KISMAT CONNECTION and SANSKARI SWEETHEART, which will be published by HarperTeen of HarperCollins Publishers on May 20, 2025. She is a recent graduate of the University of California, Irvine, where she majored in Neurobiology and Behavioral Sciences, and currently resides as a second-year medical student at the Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine. Like many of her characters, Ananya is a second-generation Indian American young adult. Now, Ananya writes young adult romance novels featuring chaotic Desi teenagers, swoon-worthy banter, and lighthearted drama with a speculative twist. In her free time, she can be found watching her favorite Bollywood movies or studying for yet another board exam” (Bio from author’s website).
Find Ananya Devarajan on the following platforms:
Raina’s got one shot to prove to her mom that dance isn’t just a hobby, but her entire future—and winning the National Bollywood Dance Circuit Scholarship is the best way to do it. If she wins, she can convince her mom that she can build a real, successful career in dance. An added bonus of winning the competition is saving her relationship with her co-captain and long time boyfriend, Aditya, who is slipping away the more they argue. After a night where nothing goes right, Aditya breaks up with her, their routine goes completely wrong, and Raina watches her dream life slip away. But when she wakes up the next morning, it’s Nationals all over again. Everything is the same: the stage, the heartbreak, and the stakes. The more time she spends in the loop, the more she realizes maybe winning everything she keeps losing isn’t what’s meant to be.
As someone from a South Asian background, I have always loved reading books with characters that have backgrounds similar to mine. It was refreshing to read a romance story where the lead character ends up with someone from the same background as her, since a majority of the AAPI representation I see these days involves relationships between people of different cultures. I also loved the fact that Aditya and Raina were an established couple going into the story. The backdrop of a Bollywood dance team with two co-captains dating is very cute, and sets up a great story that is made even better by the added fact that the story isn’t about the main couple getting together, but rather growing together. Raina, though somewhat frustrating at times, is an enjoyable character whose growth was incredible to see. Aditya was probably my favorite character—he’s quite literally the definition of a man written by a woman, and definitely one of the most romantic teenage main male characters I’ve read in a while. As with other books that include a time loop, this one was also interesting to read about, and the Bollywood dance competition situation just made it all the more fun. It was nice to see how Raina’s mind and approach to life changed as she kept reliving the same day. Sanskari Sweetheart is a great option for readers looking for a rom-com this AAPI month!
Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and HarperCollins for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.
Vanshikha Vij, Pine Reads Review Writer