In the hands of a less capable writer, The Full Moon Bride would be indistinguishable from other chick lit filling beach bags this summer. Shobhan Bantwal (The Dowry Bride) departs from her previous works on serious issues plaguing Indian women to write a quirky love story that is heck of a lot of fun, because protagonist Soorya, a New Jersey-born Indian lawyer, isn't the usual high-achieving career woman for whom a good man is hard to find.
First, she's a 30-year-old virgin. Soorya also lives in a mansion with her affluent parents and doting grandmother, who, with their marigold-festooned prayer rooms and elegant saris, are charmingly steeped in Indian culture. Or not so charming? Unlike most single ladies, Soorya doesn't use Match.com or the bar scene to find companionship, but is subjected to "bride viewings" where she is gussied up like a prize samosa and scrutinized by young men (of questionable eligibility) and their judgmental parents.
Soorya, a former ugly duckling, gets rejected multiple times, which causes her already low self-esteem to take a nosedive. But wait--Soorya's painful dieting (plus a nose job from her plastic surgeon daddy) pay off. As the intriguing story unfolds, the vulnerable, guarded Soorya finds herself courted by three suitors: a dashing Indian playwright, a flirtatious computer programmer and a lawyer who finds her hotter than spicy curry. You'll be rooting for the blossoming Soorya to accept the right man--and finally accept herself. --Natalie Papailiou, author of blog MILF: Mother I'd Like to Friend