Rani Choudhury Must Die is another stellar YA contemporary romance from a master of the genre. It is filled with love, particularly the type that comes from self-acceptance and empowerment.
Adiba Jaigirdar is constantly raising the bar for YA contemporaries and doing it flawlessly at that. Every single one of her books is a home-run, ultimately full of joy and love. This was another smash-hit sapphic YA contemporary story that found a place in my heart. I fell head over heels for the pitch of a sapphic YA take on John Tucker Must Die, with plenty of STEM elements and ultimately a message of empowerment. Books like this are so vital for bringing a smidgeon of happiness into your day. They remind you of the wonder of romance, but also highlight how important learning to be happy with yourself is first.
As usual, the characterisation was stellar. Meghna and Rani instantly snuck into my heart. Jaigirdar captures that teenage voice so well, particularly in being caught up in their own bubble of the world and that occasional tendency to exaggerate a situation to comical lengths. There is just a balance of tone that is always perfectly done. They feel relatable and lovable, albeit with flaws that make them human and allow them to develop over the course of the novel. They are both facing their own pressures, driven by expectations of those around them and those that they load onto themselves. It is achingly authentic. They are given space to just breathe on the page, amidst the drama unfolding around them. I loved their rivalry, which was pretty one-sided, as this injected plenty of drama and humour into the narrative. That comedy is executed really well and adds a sense of levity at time. It is that classic rom-com wish of just wanting two people to communicate their feelings and tackle them head-on.
I always love that Jaigirdar’s writing tackles important topics head-on and with a respect for her audience. In featuring this central rivalry so strongly, she is also examining the way women are often pitted against each other, amplified by colourism and classism in this case. She dismantles that old sexist trope of two women battling for a man’s heart and instead interrogates the actions of the man who has been manipulating two women for his own benefit. It intersects with issues around religion, race and class, all of which are explored with sensitivity and nuance by Jaigirdar. These are not topics that are explored in most YA too often and they are important to address, especially for other young Meghnas and Ranis out there. Jaigirdar continues to deliver stellar stories that contain such impactful representation. These books are unafraid to tackle tough topics, while also delivering romances that hit that sweet spot in your heart.
The evolving dynamic between Meghna and Rani is delectable, filled with plenty of great banter and chemistry. You cannot help but root for them to reconnect and maybe take their old friendship to a new space. Jaigirdar consistently writes romances that feel like the best rom-coms you’ve seen. She has a way of using familiar tropes in unexpected ways. Her books feel like the greatest type of romance films and fill your heart with joy. You watch these characters encounter issues along the way, as the path to true love never did run smooth. I appreciate how her books centre self-love and acceptance, in order to actually then be able to find someone to love. It is a brilliant message for readers, to love themselves first before putting their all into a romantic partner.
Rani Choudhury Must Die is a ray of sunshine on a dark winter’s day. It is bold, brilliant and filled with powerful messages and swoonworthy romance.
Rani Choudhury Must Die is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other good book retailers, like your local booktsore.
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Synopsis | Goodreads
Meghna and Rani used to be friends. Now they’re bitter rivals. Or are they?
When Meghna fails to make it to the final round of a competition but her boyfriend Zak and her rival Rani do, she thinks things can’t get much worse. Until she discovers Zak has been cheating on her. With Rani.
Soon she realises Rani is also a victim and they team up to expose Zak as a cheater in front of all the judges he is so eager to please. And as the two girls grow closer, they begin to question their feelings for one another and why they ever became enemies in the first place . . .
When Dimple Met Rishi meets John Tucker Must Die in this new sapphic YA enemies-to-lovers novel by award-winning author Adiba Jaigirdar.
