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In Alisha Rai’s second novel in her Modern Love series, a live-tweet event goes viral for a camera-shy ex-model, shoving her into the spotlight—and into the arms of the bodyguard she’d been pining for.
OMG! Wouldn’t it be adorable if he’s her soulmate???
I don’t see any wedding rings [eyes emoji]
Breaking: #CafeBae and #CuteCafeGirl went to the bathroom AT THE SAME TIME!!!
One minute, Katrina King’s enjoying an innocent conversation with a hot guy at a coffee shop; the next, a stranger has live-tweeted the entire episode with a romantic meet-cute spin and #CafeBae is the new hashtag-du-jour. The problem? Katrina craves a low-profile life, and going viral threatens the peaceful world she’s painstakingly built. Besides, #CafeBae isn’t the man she’s hungry for…
He’s got a [peach emoji] to die for.
With the internet on the hunt for the identity of #CuteCafeGirl, Jas Singh, bodyguard, friend, and possessor of the most beautiful eyebrows Katrina’s ever seen, comes to the rescue and whisks her away to his family’s home. Alone in a remote setting with the object of her affections? It’s a recipe for romance. But after a long dating dry spell, Katrina isn’t sure she can trust her instincts when it comes to love—even if Jas’s every look says he wants to be more than just her bodyguard…
Review:
If you’re looking for a bodyguard, friends-to-lover, slow burn romance with a bit of forced proximity thrown in for good measure, this book is it.
This is not my first Alisha Rai romance but there’s just something about her voice that I enjoy – fresh, brisk and modern. And it’s the perfect voice to tell this kind of story. It strikes on very relevant themes of internet privacy, shaping the narratives of real people to suit the voracious desire for others to live vicariously through the celebrity du jour, especially the story of people’s love lives regardless of whether it hews close to reality or not. Rai handles these themes deftly, without burdening the narrative.
Katrina Jackson is funny, intelligent, and somewhat reserved with her feelings. A combination of factors contributes to her reticence. She lives with panic disorder and anxiety, a condition that is depicted realistically, with an emphasis on therapy and good friendships. Katrina has also constructed her life in just such a way as to keep her anxiety from being triggered. She has a wonderful support group of friends who love her unconditionally, and to whom she is generous in turn.
Likewise, the depiction of Jasvinder’s PTSD is compassionate and conveyed skillfully. He has a tragic past that has contributed to his PTSD, but he is considerate and very careful with Katrina. It takes time for him to come into his own, to learn to build his own support system, and open up to Katrina but it is a beautiful journey to watch.
The novel is also very diversity. In the author’s note, Rai discusses diversity of the Punjabi culture, which she generously shares with readers.
Katrina and Jasvinder are a lovely couple. There is no question they are perfect for each other, despite their mutual issues. Their love grows organically over time – they have many years of friendship behind them and in consequence, they know and understand each other well. When they give in to their feelings, it is deeply satisfying. A gentle romance filled with funny, tender moments, and a couple you can’t help rooting for.
Where to buy: