Incense and Sensibility – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Jane Austen, but make it desi! I just love the concept behind Sonali Dev’s latest romance series – a reimagining of classic Austen tales featuring 21st century desi leads.
Incense and Sensibility, similar to its inspiration, Sense and Sensibility, explores themes of family, love, and responsibility. Yash, eldest son of the influential Raje family, is the first Indian-American gubernatorial candidate for the state of California. When his friend is critically injured by a hate crime at one of his rallies, Yash’s world is shaken. At his next campaign event, he blacks out with panic.
With the election so close, his family urge him to seek immediate help in the form of his sister’s best friend – India Dashwood (someone they can trust not to leak Yash’s condition to the media). India runs her family’s yoga studio and is currently California’s foremost stress management coach.
Familial bonds
My favorite part of Incense and Sensibility is the unconditional familial love depicted – and particularly in different types of families.
The Rajes, who are literally descended from royalty in India, with all of their privilege and influence, still always show up for one another. Every member of the family is involved in some way with Yash’s campaigns, either helping with management or simply attending as supporters. Their presence is the reason Yash’s initial anxiety attack is noticed. His cousin Ashna swiftly recommends a session with India (who helped her when she was suffering from panic attacks).
Tara Dashwood, after taking a vow of celibacy, adopted three children from three different continents and raised them as her own. She showered them with unconditional love and support for their dreams, encouraging them to always be true to themselves. To the point where India admits she didn’t realize until she was an adult that her home life was unconventional.
Brandy and her adopted daughter Ellie, whose mother was Brandy’s late girlfriend, were such a pleasant surprise. Brandy is Yash’s replacement bodyguard while Abdul is recovering in the hospital. I totally did not expect to love her as much as I did. Especially since she started out as a no-nonsense, serious bodyguard. But once she began opening up about her life and bringing her daughter around, she and Ellie became an integral part of both the Raje and Dashwood families!
Well-written, diverse characters
Incense and Sensibility is an incredibly well-written novel. Sonali Dev truly knows how to set the scene with her words. Her descriptions make you feel like you’re actually experiencing moments and events with the characters. But the icing on the cake is the way she writes her characters. Not only does she seamlessly include characters of diverse races, cultures, and sexual preferences, but the main and supporting characters are all completely fleshed out. Each character has their own personality, style, mannerisms, and interests. They aren’t just there to be a token addition.
India and China appear to be inspired by the Dashwood sisters in the original story, with India being the more responsible, levelheaded sister and China the more sensitive and emotion-driven one. Though India is our main character, China basically has an entire side story. She has her own feelings and ambitions, as well as unique behavioral patterns when she gets upset (like having to walk off strong feelings). A testament to the book’s strong writing is how genuine the dialogue and actions were during an argument between the two (I should know- I have a younger sister haha). It felt like I was witnessing a real argument between sisters.
The importance of honesty
“A promise isn’t what you say. It’s what you do. Otherwise, you’re just Yudishtiring it.”
–India, p. 223
“Yudishtiring it” is perhaps my new favorite saying ever. For those of you who may not know, Yudishtir is a prince in Hindu legend who strictly lived by the moral principles of his religion. One of those principles was honesty. He was so good and righteous that, according to legend, his war chariot actually floated a few inches above ground. During a key battle, however, he told one half-truth in order to help their side win. After that day, his chariot stopped floating. Yash and India discuss this legend in the book while musing about honesty and half-truths. India concludes that the story is a lesson that despite the best intentions, you can’t fool the universe with a technicality. White lies and half-truths are still dishonest.
Honesty plays a huge role in Incense and Sensibility. Yash has been keeping a secret from everyone, including his family, for ten years. When his childhood best friend Naina first proposed that they tell their families they’re romantically involved, he felt it was a harmless deal to help a friend pursue her ambitions free of parental control. But ultimately, his one lie interferes with and affects all of his personal relationships – with his family, with India, and even with his campaign supporters.
Second chance romance
Due to a terrible previous experience with a manipulative partner, Yash has difficulty with trust and intimacy, especially in romantic relationships. He’s avoided love and feelings for the last ten years, choosing instead to focus completely on his career and campaigns. In particular, he’s avoided his feelings toward one person.
India and Yash first met at Yash’s sister Nisha’s wedding. They spent the entire night of the mehendi (a traditional Hindu wedding event) talking about their childhoods, their hopes and dreams. They shared their first kiss during the wedding reception the next day. Despite exchanging phone numbers, Yash never called. A week later, India heard the news from Yash’s sisters that he and Naina were spoken for. She is heartbroken and loses her trust in men and relationships.
Yash’s anxiety attacks cause them to come face-to-face again. Immediately, they are reminded of their magical first night and the spark of attraction that’s still between them. During their yoga sessions and conversations, they realize how much they truly understand one another. India believes in Yash, and she helps him regain his self-confidence. Yash encourages India to stop shouldering everyone’s burdens and to ask for help when she needs it. After a few more hurdles (sigh), the couple does finally get their happily ever after <3
“I breathe differently when she’s around… I feel alive in ways I never have.”
–Yash, p. 361
What I didn’t love
Ten years is a really long time
If our leads had a real connection – plus they’re family friends – how did it take so long for them to meet and re-evaluate their feelings? They really never ran into one another, for ten years? Just doesn’t seem that realistic. India’s sister is best friends with Yash’s sisters. Even during the course of this book itself, it just felt like it took so long for them to come face to face. They had so many near-misses and so much pining before they actually got their happy ending. And some readers may enjoy that! I personally just wanted to shake some sense into them haha.
A predictable villain
Naina has gone against family and societal pressure to pursue a career focused on uplifting rural women around the world. She has independently found success in the field and made a name for herself. So, it seemed out of character and downright petty for her to demean India as “just a yoga instructor.” That entire scene just left a bad taste in my mouth. It felt very cliche to have a “jealous mean girl” type threaten our heroine (and hero’s happiness). Especially after the rest of the book has been so refreshingly unique, with a diverse cast of likable and relatable characters.
I would have much preferred if Naina was the one who realized Yash’s feelings and helped push him toward the right decision – like a real best friend should. There was so much potential there. Then again, from what I’ve read, Sonali Dev’s next book in this series, The Emma Project, will follow Naina as lead heroine. So perhaps, there is a redemption arc in store for her yet.
Read Incense and Sensibility if you enjoy:
- second-chance romance ❤️🩹
- meddling (but well-meaning!) family members 🏡
- diverse, well-written characters ✍️
- comedic out-of-context stories, courtesy of Tara Dashwood 😹
- leads who stay true to themselves no matter the consequences 😇
- and of course, plenty of yoga and meditation! 🧘♀️