Book Review – Sunshine and Spice

You know how sometimes you stumble across a book that just feels like the perfect fit for your current reading mood? That’s exactly what happened with “Sunshine and Spice” by Aurora Palit. I picked this up right after finishing a rather heavy historical fiction, and it was exactly the palate cleanser I needed! As always, my main points are bolded. 🙂

1. The setting of this book was such a refreshing change of pace! Most romance novels I read are set in big cities like New York or London, so having this story unfold in Kelowna, British Columbia was delightfully different. I visited Canada once when I was younger, and while I didn’t make it to Kelowna, this book definitely made me want to plan another trip! The author does such a wonderful job of bringing the city to life – I could practically smell the fresh mountain air and picture the cozy downtown streets.
2. Dev and Naomi’s dynamic was absolutely entertaining to watch unfold. We’ve got the classic grumpy-sunshine pairing (which I’m always a sucker for!), but what makes it special is how their personalities are shaped by their very different relationships with their Bengali heritage. Dev is the quintessential “good son” who’s finally starting to push back against family expectations, while Naomi is desperately trying to connect with a culture she was raised to avoid. Their fake-dating scheme to ward off Dev’s mother’s matchmaking attempts leads to some seriously funny moments!
3. The family dynamics in this book are absolutely fantastic. As someone who comes from a rather small family, I always love reading about big, messy family relationships in books. The Mukherjee family, especially Dev’s mother Gia, practically leapt off the page. Every scene with family gatherings had me grinning – the loving interference, the drama, the food (oh my goodness, the FOOD descriptions)! It reminded me a bit of the family dynamics in “Crazy Rich Asians,” but with its own unique charm.
4. I really appreciated how the author handled the cultural aspects of the story. This isn’t just a romance – it’s also a beautiful exploration of cultural identity and belonging. Naomi’s journey of trying to connect with her Bengali roots felt so authentic and touching. I found myself really empathizing with her feelings of being an outsider looking in, even though my own experience is very different.
5. The writing is deliciously sensory. You know how some books just make you HUNGRY? This is definitely one of them! Palit has this wonderful way of describing scents and tastes that made me feel like I was right there in the story. I may have ordered Indian takeout while reading this book… twice.
6. The romance itself was sweet, though I wished for a bit more development. While I enjoyed Dev and Naomi’s chemistry and banter, I felt like their transition from fake-dating to real feelings happened a bit quickly. That said, their scenes together were quite swoony, and I loved how their relationship challenged both of them to grow as individuals.
7. The store rebranding subplot was such a clever way to bring everything together. As someone who used to work retail in college, I really enjoyed seeing all the behind-the-scenes aspects of transforming Gia’s Bazaar. It provided the perfect backdrop for all the family drama and romantic tension to unfold.
8. This book is perfectly balanced between light and meaningful. While it definitely has plenty of fun, romantic moments, it also tackles deeper themes about family expectations, cultural identity, and finding your own path. I love when a romance novel can make me both laugh and think!

Overall, “Sunshine and Spice” was a delightful read that had me staying up way too late to finish “just one more chapter.” While the romance itself might have benefited from a bit more development, the rich cultural elements, family dynamics, and sensory writing more than made up for it. I’d definitely recommend this to anyone who loves fake-dating tropes, grumpy-sunshine pairings, or stories about finding your place in the world. I’ll be keeping an eye out for whatever Aurora Palit writes next!

This is definitely a solid choice for readers who enjoy authors like Sonali Dev or Sajni Patel, or anyone looking for a romance that offers both sweet moments and substance. It’s also perfect for foodies – just make sure you have some snacks handy while reading!