The Shaadi Set-Up by Lillie Vale features young star-crossed ex-lovers who stubbornly resist each other's charms while everyone around them--their families and a popular Indian matrimonial website's sophisticated algorithm included--wishes they would just figure it out already.
Rita is a talented antique furniture restorer with a vivacious personality and two adorable sidekicks, a French bulldog named Freddie and a Jack Russell terrier mix named Harrie. The love of her life, Milan, broke up with her a few years ago. But Rita is doing a pretty good job of moving on; she's in a relationship with her handsome Tinder date, Neil, and likes everything about him, except for his maddening habit of talking with his mother as he gets ready for work every morning.
Maternal characters loom large and bring refreshing comic relief to The Shaadi Set-Up, including Rita's and Milan's moms, best friends who hatch a plot to get their children back together. Rita has a good eye for interior design, and Milan is a successful realtor with a listing that just won't sell. Initially horrified when Milan shows up at her family home (thanks to some devious planning on her mother's part), Rita ultimately agrees to help him, but the last thing she wants is to fall in love with Milan again.
The Shaadi Set-Up is YA author Vale's first novel for adults (after Small Town Hearts). Entertaining throughout, Vale's delightful storytelling will charm readers with mouth-watering depictions of Rita's favorite meals, hilarious antics by Freddie and Harrie and the delicious drama that unfolds as Rita and Milan find their way back to each other. --Shahina Piyarali, reviewer