Sweetie Nair is overweight and her traditional Indian mom hates it. She worries for Sweetie's health, but Sweetie is the fastest track runner on her school team and thinks that she is perfect just the way she is. However, negative messages from guys, her mom, and society continue to affect Sweetie. She soon decides to start the Sassy Sweetie Project. She is going to secretly date Ashish Patel, a boy who her parents were going to set her up with - to prove to herself how amazing she is and that she is worthy of love, regardless of whether she is fat or not. Ashish Patel is sad. He just broke up with his college girlfriend because she was cheating on him. And he still can't get over her after three months. Then, he meets Sweetie and falls hopelessly in love with her outgoing personality and incredible confidence. He knows he is meant to be with Sweetie and he definitely knows that there is nothing he wouldn't do not to hurt her, but Celia keeps texting him and that reminds Ashish how much the breakup hurt. Even Ashish's friends seem to be falling apart. Eventually, Sweetie and Ashish will have their romance but will they find out if they were meant to be?
This book was exactly the type of feel good rom-com that I like! Sweetie is a spunky, confident, kind character that will get everyone to fall in love with her! Ashish was also a terrific character. He was in awe of sweetie and genuinely liked her for who she was and her gregarious personality. He even liked her so much that he go awkward around her, which I really think we need to see more of in guys. It's adorable. Their relationship did not feel forced- they complimented each other, adored each other, and grew positively from the relationship. I think that anyone who has ever struggled with body confidence issues should read this book. Between the food, the adorable, messy, supportive, protective friends, and the stunning romance that unfolds, any reader who picks up this book will be lucky to have it on their shelf.
Reviewed by Claire S., Grade 10