ALA Booklist (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Teerdhala's sweet, wintry romance is perfect for any season. Deepa has big plans for her junior year: she's gathered all the courage to ask a boy out to the dance, and she has her eyes set on an exciting school committee. Except, her crush already has a date, and the only committee with spots left is for the junior lock-in, with her neighbor and frenemy, Vikram. Feeling unlucky in love, Deepa wishes for someone who meets all the requirements of The List, containing all the qualities of her perfect boyfriend, that she made freshman year. The very next day, Deepa meets a new neighbor, and to her surprise, he just might be the boy of her dreams. But is he really perfect for her? The romantic arc here is charming, but the friendships are the star of the show. Deepa genuinely cares about her loved ones, and their dynamics will leave a smile on readers' faces. This is the perfect choice for anyone looking for a warm pick-me-up.

Kirkus Reviews

A wish for the perfect boyfriend causes a teen to rethink all her plans.Seventeen-year-old South Indian American Deepa Josyula is on a mission to have the "perfect Edison High School experience." She and best friend Lily even have The List filled with items to accomplish. But Deepa's junior year isn't going according to plan, thanks to a disastrous day that includes romantic rejection and being paired on a student council project with childhood nemesis (and neighbor) Vikram Mehta. Luckily, Amamma, her grandmother, gifts her the last jasmine bloom from their garden. According to Amamma, it'll grant her heart's greatest desire. Skeptical Deepa wishes for the boyfriend of her dreams. Enter Rohit D'Souza, the very handsome new boy next door, who not only looks just like the inspiration photo for her perfect boyfriend but also ticks off very specific details from The List. Deepa might have become a believer. To prove to the universe that she's "earned the blessing" she's been granted, Deepa creates a plan to woo Rohit. But is "picture perfect" enough? And what of the boy who's always been next door? Caught up in her penchant for planning, Deepa will need to live in the moment and learn that a little chaos can be OK-great even. Filled with classic rom-com scenarios, this novel has plenty to delight readers. Deepa makes for an engaging lead, and her journey toward embracing uncertainty is satisfying.Charming. (Romance. 12-18)

Publishers Weekly

Seventeen-year-old Indian American high school junior Deepa Josyula has everything planned out for “the perfect Edison High School experience.” Next on her list is finding a boyfriend and asking him to the Winterfest Dance. Things quickly go sideways when a prank by classmate and longtime nemesis Vik results in the two teens being paired up to plan an upcoming school event. Then handsome Rohit moves into Deepa’s neighborhood, and he seems like the perfect candidate for her long-coveted dream boyfriend. To test whether Rohit meets all the criteria on her detailed list, Deepa forms a scheme: go on three romantic dates with—and receive one magical kiss from—Rohit. But Vik keeps derailing Deepa’s plans. Leisurely pacing allows ample time for the teens’ shenanigans—and the emotions that fuel an emergent love triangle—to unfold, while lovable characters and an entertaining rivals-to-lovers twist adds bite to this delightfully digestible, lightly fantastical rom-com by Teerdhala (the Tiger at Midnight series). Ages 13–up. Agent: Kristin Nelson, Nelson Literary. (Feb.)

School Library Journal (Thu Feb 01 00:00:00 CST 2024)

Gr 7–10— Deepa lives in a tight-knit suburb where prank wars abound, and she aspires to out-do her rival and arch-enemy neighbor Vikram. Dee has always been ridiculously organized. She drafted a detailed life plan (The List) freshman year and has been ticking off boxes ever since. Up next, a real boyfriend. Her grandma intervenes by giving her a magical jasmine flower to grant her a wish, and just like that, prince charming (aka, Rohit) moves in next door. The neighborhood youth invite him to join their long-standing prank war and at the same time, Deepa and Rohit begin dating with her ultimate checklist goal of "sealing the deal" with a kiss on their third date. Meanwhile, Dee is tragically partnered with Vik to plan a lock-in and romantic frenemy sparks quickly fly. She is forced to come to terms that Rohit is too perfect (boring) and that a little tension is much more enticing. The majority of characters are of Indian descent and Indian names, words, and customs are woven seamlessly throughout. A queer character, Lily, is included as the best friend and confidant. Well-written dialogue helps maintain a quick pace. Deepa's sisters are especially well done in that rivalrous yet conspiratorial sisterly way. VERDICT Light romance that is comfortably predictable and equally delicious.— Leah Krippner