Review - Priya in Heels By Ayesha Patel

A Review By Wendy

4  Worth the Reasons Stars 

* * * *

We all are so interesting... each of our cultures bring so much beauty and traditions to our lives; discovering them through the books we read can be eye opening, rewarding and thought provoking. Because when long held ideas are challenged by other customs and more liberal ways.... questioning of what to do happens.

This story takes this type of situation and uses it legitimately in this romance. We have a woman devoted to her parents; accomplishing every challenge and goal with the main purpose of pleasing and rewarding them for all the  sacrifices they have done to allow her to flourish. 

Which leads us to the ultimate questions.... Do we live for ourselves or do we live to make our parents happy and honor them.... or is there a way to satisfy both of these life needs....

Priya has always been a good girl; focused on good grades, driven to become the professional her parents expected and understanding of how important the Indian customs and ways were to her and her family. Her family were loving and caring... more open then most of their friends in how they allowed Priya to live away from their home in Austin and do her Residency in Houston. They are proud of her being on her way to becoming a Dr. ... being a cherished daughter and ready to be married. 

The matching has already started by the families.... tradition for Priya is an arranged marriage, not a love match. It is done with the eye for whether the match comes from a fine family; does he have a good living and will he care for her.... will he protect her and will they be looked on by the community with favor....

Because this matching... is more than two people meeting and having a life together... it is all tied together to community, status and most importantly... reflection on the parents... it is the ultimate goal for the parents to see their children be set in their lives... to continue the cycle with their children...

This tale tackles all of these things but goes much deeper; it addresses the double lives the children will live in order to please their parents. They will partake in all the traditional functions but then go clubbing and date those considered not appropriate to marry- those from other cultures ... and the conflicts of where to draw the line and live for yourself is what the driving force of this. 

This love story was complex, sometimes sweet, sometimes frustrating but always intriguing and interesting. Never was I bored... I felt I was in the middle and sometimes wanted to shake the characters to see their way clear from everything. There was much emotion and I felt all of it.

The true beauty of this was the voice of the writer with the authenticity needed to believe and feel for all of the characters... there was no easy answer for any of the questions asked... and we worked through all of them together.


Finally, a quick note; the humor and strength was just right... it was an eye opening experience and those reads are always the best. 

A gifted copy was provided by Entangled Embrace Publishing for an honest review.

About Ayesha Patel

Ayesha Patel was born in the rich and colorful state of Gujarat in western India before moving to Texas. She quickly found her footing in languages and creative writing and weaves her diverse background into her stories. She currently lives in the beautiful, though rainy, state of Washington with her husband and two puppies, Gambit and Rogue. With a splendid view of Mt. Ranier behind her, a cup of coffee in her hand, and a ridiculously fast laptop at her fingertips, Ayesha is thrilled to explore the literary world.