We chat with author Ananya Devarajan about Sanskari Sweetheart, which follows Raina who gets stuck reliving the day she lost her boyfriend, her dance partner, and her shot at the National Bollywood Dance Circuit Scholarship. She’s sure that it’s her chance for a perfect do over, but the more she tries, the more she has to wonder if “perfect” is enough.
Hi, Ananya! Welcome back! How have the past two years been since we last spoke?
Hi there! Thanks so much for having me back on The Nerd Daily! These last two years have been such a whirlwind—from releasing Kismat Connection as a brand new college graduate in June 2023 to making it halfway through medical school with another young adult romance novel, Sanskari Sweetheart, in my name. It’s been an era of self-discovery and experimentation, and I’ve loved getting to know myself and my stories even better in the process.
Your latest novel, Sanskari Sweetheart, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Time loop second chance romance!
What can readers expect?
Sanskari Sweetheart explores the beauty of imperfection in a romance, and serves as a reminder that real love requires vulnerability, honesty, and an open heart, even when it is terrifying to do so. Readers of Sanskari Sweetheart can expect strong female protagonists that are messy, flawed, and so incredibly deserving of love, even if it takes a series of time loops for them to realize it. And of course, there is the setting—a Bollywood dance competition rife with petty drama, Auntie-level gossip, and loads of talent to spare. I might be a bit biased when I say this, but I really do believe there is something for everyone in Sanskari Sweetheart, whether it be the diverse cast of characters, the elements of magical realism scattered throughout, or the romance at the very core of this story.
Where did the inspiration for Sanskari Sweetheart come from?
I knew I’d always wanted to write a second chance romance. The idea of a couple falling apart and putting themselves back together again, this time with a love stronger than ever before, sounded so beautiful. After I published Kismat Connection, I alos noticed how much I loved magical realism within contemporary romance, especially when it is weaved into the work as a form of character development, rather than a solitary plot device. Sanskari Sweetheart was inspired by these pivotal realizations, and over the course of two years, transformed into a second chance romance novel set within a time loop, one that forces our main character, Raina Iyer, to confront the elements that went wrong in her long-term relationship in order to secure her happily ever after.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I absolutely loved exploring Raina’s personality in Sanskari Sweetheart. Raina isn’t the most emotional person, which often hinders her ability to communicate during times of stress in her personal relationships. And yet, when a devastating time loop forces Raina to be broken up with by her boyfriend of four years over and over again, Raina chooses not to give up, but to grow. She undergoes so much character development in the name of true love, and it makes her a character worth rooting for, both as a writer and a reader. I enjoyed digging into the mind of a teenager who knows exactly who she is at her core, and I hope readers of Sanskari Sweetheart feel the same way!
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
I think the greatest challenge I faced when writing Sanskari Swetheart was the timeline to publication. Sanskari Sweetheart sold alongside Kismat Connection, but the majority of the story was developed, written, and revised in my first four semesters of medical school. To say this era of my life was time-consuming would be an understatement. I spent nearly every minute of every day at work, whether it be in the classroom as an aspiring physician or on my laptop, where I’d hope that my stolen moments of writing would do this story justice—and that too, on a tight deadline. And now, in hindsight, I’m happy to say that it all worked out in the end. As I hold the final copies of my sophomore novel in my hand, I can confidently say that the years of blood, sweat, and tears that went into the making of Sanskari Sweetheart is the reason it exists in its truest form today.
What’s next for you?
At the moment, my life is entirely studying. So sad, I know! My hope is, however, that after I take my board exams and settle into my third-year rotations, I can write the proposal for my (fingers crossed) third young adult magical realism romance novel. I can’t wait to share more about this idea soon!
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up this year?
I am so excited to read The Manor of Dreams by Christina Li, I’ll Pretend You’re Mine by Tashie Bhuiyan, The Romance Rivalry by Susan Lee, Love Craves Cardamom by Aashna Avachat, And They Were Roommates by Page Powars, and Flirting With Disaster by Naina Kumar.
