Sari, Not Sari

DEBUT Manny Dogra’s parents never talked about their South Asian culture, embracing all things America instead. While Manny has grown up to be a successful CEO and is engaged to a handsome, rich architect, she knows next to nothing about her family’s cultural heritage. When a magazine cover airbrushes away her rich skin tone and makes her look white, Manny has an identity crisis, no longer confident of who she really is. Sammy Patel needs a favor from Manny’s company, and she agrees—on the condition that he take her to his brother’s wedding and show her the life her parents rejected. This romantic comedy has witty dialogue, likable characters, and a humorous tone. Manny’s need to find herself, to find an essential something that’s missing from her heart and soul, is a universal, relatable theme. Though the plot itself is uneven, with underdeveloped subplots and back stories, the writing has moments of brilliance and insight that will resonate for the characters and readers alike.