School Library Journal Review
Gr 8 Up--Loosely based on Jane Austen's Sense & Sensibility, this novel follows Desi American sisters Eila and Mallika Das as they head to Regency camp for the summer. They will spend two weeks at Norland Manor, where they will wear only Regency fashion, take lessons on various Regency activities, and even eat and speak based on the Regency era, all the while hoping to catch the eye of the producers of the hit Regency detective show, Rosewood. When a rumor spreads that one of the newly cast leads is among the attendees of camp, where his chemistry with the female campers will be tested, and casting prospects go from a walk-on role or murder victim to a leading lady, things get dramatic. With Austen and Shakespeare references galore, DasGupta's novel has just the right amount of old-fashioned charm mixed with modern sensibilities, like stowing away a cell phone rather than giving it up for the duration of camp. Eila's burgeoning romance with fellow camper Rahul is sweet and has the perfect amount of tension for a summer fling. The overly dramatic acting of the campers makes for plenty of silly moments to offset some of the heavier aspects of the story, and the sisters have just the right amount of development, bettering themselves and their relationship with one another, over the course of the camp. Included among the racially diverse cast are several queer characters including Mallika, who identifies as bisexual. VERDICT A not-to-be-missed, lighthearted romantic comedy with great representation.--Mariah Smitala
Publisher's Weekly Review
Two Bengali American teens fall for each other while being scouted as extras for a television show in this rollicking Sense and Sensibility and A Midsummer Night's Dream mash-up by DasGupta (Debating Darcy). Growing up, Eila Das wanted to be an actor. Her practicality prompts her to give up on that dream to become a lawyer instead, however, and though that decision is bittersweet, she's excited to attend the prestigious Norland Summer Shakespeare Academy--until the course is canceled and replaced by a camp sponsored by the producers of TV show Rosewood, described as "Bridgerton meets Murder, She Wrote." Even worse, her pop culture--obsessed, hopeless romantic younger sister Mallika submitted an application on her behalf, and she was accepted. Eila is hesitant to attend but relents when Mallika insists this could be her last chance to pursue acting. While there, Eila meets and falls for Rahul Lee, a fellow Bard fan and the only other camper able to match her wit tit-for-tat. DasGupta's wish-fulfilling meet-cute bursts with South Asian pop culture references, Regency-era history, and Austenian and Shakespearian tropes, making for a timely and deeply romantic jaunt. Ages 12--up. (Mar.)
Kirkus Review
The works of Jane Austen and William Shakespeare blend well in this contemporary love story starring two Bengali American teens. Eila and Mallika Das share traits with Elinor and Marianne Dashwood, respectively, from Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility: Responsible Eila plans to put aside her love for Shakespeare and acting to pursue law, a more sensible career path; vivacious, bisexual Mallika is emotionally driven and enjoys watching titillating Regency-era romances. Eila is devastated to learn that her beloved Shakespeare summer academy has been canceled and replaced by a Regency camp set up by the producers of Rosewood, a television show Mallika describes as "Bridgerton meets Murder, She Wrote." Not only that, but Mallika has submitted applications on behalf of them both to attend the camp for opportunities to be cast as minor characters in the show's second season. Though she's reluctant, Eila agrees to go, hoping to feel carefree again, like she was before their father died. After Eila encounters rakish camper Rahul Lee, "a somewhat good Bangladeshi Chinese Singaporean British boy" who matches her in wit and appreciation for theater and literature, she explores the intricacies of the heart--much to her head's apprehension. DasGupta immerses readers in a Regency experience, providing information regarding attire, etiquette, and history between chapters, and actively promotes inclusivity through the diversity of the characters, who challenge casting norms. Rollicking, romantic, and relevant fun. (author's note) (Fiction. 13-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Mallika and Eila Das, two desi girls still grieving the loss of their father three years ago, don't agree on much. One thing they definitely can't agree on is the Regency detective TV show Rosewood: Mal loves it, while Eila finds it unnecessarily smutty. They both get accepted into a Rosewood-themed Regency summer acting camp for the summer with a Taming of the Shrew twist: Mal can go only if her sister does. So a reluctant Eila agrees to attend, intent on learning anything about acting, the dream job she knows she'll never get. She may just learn how to combat her rising anxiety, at an all-time high since Baba's death, and she might even fall for enticing fellow camper Rahul--a rake, or famous actor going incognito? Rosewood starts with a sibling squabble over what makes good art, and the thread continues throughout the story. This is an obvious pick for teen Bridgerton lovers, but it will also find a home with Never Have I Ever fans.
