After reading this preview, I had to know the rest of the story and purchased the kindle version of this book. I really enjoyed the author's writing style and character development. Preeti, is a doctor in search of a new roommate and finds one, but the shock comes when it's Daniel her ex from six years ago. What comes next is how to live with an ex when there's also closure needed and still an attraction. I really enjoyed the strong female chapter of Preeti even though there's work/love challenges. I also really enjoyed how the mental health stigma was handled in the book. Thanks to NetGalley for the book preview. ( )

First Love, Take Two
The Trouble with Hating You, Book 2

I Picked Up This Book Because: Cover lust.

Media Type: Audiobook
Source: LV-CC Public Library
Dates Read: 3/20/23 - 3/22/23
Stars: 4
Narrator(s): Soneela Nankani

The Characters:

Preeti Patel:
Daniel Thompson:
Preeti’s girl squad, both Preeti’s and Daniel’s Parents, Daniel’s sister

The Story:

A second chance romance, again. This is a tale of a college couple torn apart by families who don’t think their blend of religions/cultures can mix. I think Preeti bears the burden of these decisions but Daniel definitely feels the pressure too. I’m so happy Preeti learns to stand up to those in her family who mean only harm to her and those who love her. When you’ve been raised where elders are to be respected beyond anything else it can be the most difficult thing to do.

I waited a long time to read this book, due to access, but it was worth the wait.

The Random Thoughts: ( )

I was sent this book from the publisher/publicity team. My ratings and reviews will be my own personal opinions and are in no way influenced by publishers or authors who may have sent me books to review.

Triggers for mental health, pregnancy loss, racism

I was a little lost at first with this one. So many things are brought up like we should know about it. Characters, relationships, and incidents were thrown at you when you had no clue what they were talking about. It has been a while since I read the first book in this series, but I do not remember any of this being in that book either.

I loved the first reunion between Preeti and Daniel. I love the situation they find themselves in as they are reunited after six years. It is very clear how both of them still love each other. I love their banter and how Daniel is always there for Preeti.

This does have a lot to do with cultural expectations when it comes to dating within your same race and dating in general. I love how Preeti stands up for herself, her family, and Daniel in the end.

This was a little slow moving. I did find myself cheering for Preeti and Daniel to be together. I do feel the romance was not the forefront of this story though. I wanted more with them as I really loved the two of them.

Overall, I was a little disappointed with this one. When it started I thought it was going to be a solid 4/5 stars, but as the story continued it dragged just a little too much. I wanted more romance. ( )

Thank you to Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

First and foremost, I genuinely loved this book and I am not kidding when I say that I could not put it down. Second chance romances are not easy but Sajni Patel so masterfully wrote this that I don’t think I could ask for anything better. Even though I can’t personally relate to Preeti’s life, I was so deeply drawn into her story. This book is beautiful and intimate and raw and tender and at the end of the day just plain good. If you have ever liked romance, then you absolutely need to read this book.

FIRST LOVE, TAKE TWO is the story of Preeti Patel, Chief Resident at her clinic and steadily heading toward a fulltime position. But with roommate situations up in the air, she ends up sharing an apartment with her ex, Daniel, who she’s been avoiding for the past six years after breaking up with him. But there’s much more to the situation with that, and despite the fact Preeti thinks they both should have moved on, it’s clear they haven’t.

This book was a breath of fresh air and I am so happy that I got the chance to read it. I have so many good things I want to say about it, but I want to quickly get my minor issues out of the way. There were occasional moments where the chapters seemed to end at a weird time for me, like I turned the page and expected more. Secondly, there were a few moments with more modern slang that felt just a little bit forced. But frankly, I can’t think of much more to say that I disliked because this book is just that good.

Let’s start with the characters, and our main girl (woman) Preeti. Preeti is an absolutely incredible character and the thing I love about her most is that she is so incredibly human. A huge facet of this story is her dealing with her own anxiety and depression, and it was so well written and portrayed. Yes, it is a detriment to her but not to her character, in fact it only makes the character as a whole stronger. Even further, it’s not ever seen as something to be cured or changed, but instead some of the best moments in the entire book were Daniel helping Preeti with her anxiety, being that person for her that could make an overwhelming moment more bearable. Preeti is vulnerable but she’s also incredibly strong, and the book only furthers that arc of self growth and confidence. Throughout this book we see Preeti grow, most importantly, within herself, not because she needs to change for a relationship but in being better for herself.

And like any good book, Preeti is not the only amazing character in the book. I have to give an immense amount of love to Daniel who is possibly everything that could be wanted in a love interest because not only is he an amazing person, his character has so much depth and nuance that can speak for itself. But like Preeti, he’s not a perfect person, and once again it makes him all the more better. Preeti’s circle of friends and family is also incredible (obviously some are much more expanded upon in the first book in the series THE TROUBLE WITH HATING YOU), but Sajni Patel doesn’t even come close to slacking off as if the characters are already established. Everyone, from Grandma and Grandpa Thompson, Liya, Reema, Sana, Brandy, Preeti’s parents (Mummie and Papa) are so nuanced and complex and just absolutely delightful to read. I genuinely wouldn’t be mad to get a short story about each and every individual one of them because they’re just that good.

For the more plot driven, this book still fails to disappoint. It’s at heart, a romance, but it’s so much more than that. This book is watching characters learn and grow, watching relationships, romantic, platonic, familial, and more flourish under communication and care. This book is inherently character driven, but it’s also a journey. Preeti’s journey in becoming a doctor, the undertone of issues related to her relationship with Daniel, and most importantly to me her work on her own mental health provide important plot points that just further enrich the story. Sajni Patel didn’t hold back on any part and I’m so grateful for that fact.

Most of all, I think one of my absolute favourite things about this book was the relationships. Preeti and Daniel’s relationship is painful at times but so worth it. The very essence of second chance romance is captured as the two fall easily into old intimacy and slowly learn again how to truly talk to one another. It’s a second chance on the actual label, not on the love that never really dissipated. It’s hard to explain just how clearly perfect these two are for eachother, in the way that they’re a safe place for one another no matter what, that intimacy isn’t just physical closeness but knowing the ins and outs of someone’s internal life. But the good relationships don’t stop there. The presence of Preeti’s girl group is exhilarating, not only to just see a group of women love eachother so fiercely, but also to see the way they all work together in a balance. A group of well developed characters making an equally well developed friendship, what more could you ask for?

There are so many other good ones but I really need to talk about Preeti’s relationship with her parents. From the start, it’s clear that Preeti would do anything for them and this is a recurring theme throughout the book. Her love is clear and permanent. And that love is absolutely returned. Their relationship isn’t perfect and it’s clear that a part of the book is about how her relationship changes as she changes and grows. I can’t speak for the specifics of being within Preeti’s community, but what I can say is that the story of parents loving and supporting their child despite what others say is so near and dear to my heart, and once again, Patel writes it so well.

I could continue to talk about this book forever, about all the little nuances and details that made it such a good and satisfying read. It can be summed up this way, FIRST LOVE, TAKE TWO has beautiful characters, a beautiful romance, and doesn’t shy away from hard issues because they’re still intertwined with the previous two points. It’s amazing and I applaud Sajni Patel for this absolute work of art. ( )