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sonali dev incense and sensibility jane austen sense and sensibility india dashwood ten years years ago yash and india yash raje raje family second chance rajes series governor of california running for governor william morrow recipe for persuasion stress management previous books pride prejudice austen and i read sense
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Stephanie Burns
5.0 out of 5 stars An Inspired Spin on an Austen Classic
Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2021
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When done well, there’s nothing better than a smart spin on a Jane Austen classic, and Sonali Dev is a master at this craft. I gobbled up every morsel of Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors and Recipe for Persuasion, so of course I had high hopes when I heard that the third book in her Rajes series was inspired by Austen’s first novel—and my personal favorite—Sense and Sensibility. My expectations were already astronomical, and Incense and Sensibility exceeded them.

Much like the work it’s drawn from, Incense and Sensibility is at its core a novel of emotions—the ones we restrain, the ones we give too willingly, and the ones we can’t help but follow. Yash and India are the perfect pair of protagonists, crackling with electricity at every turn, and both their individual paths and the journey they take together left me besotted. With each chapter, I fell for them more and more, and by the final pages, I was breathless. As with the previous books in this series, this story and its characters stand firmly on their own, wholly original from the Austen classic, but fans of Sense and Sensibility will treasure the brilliant links to the source material. The fresh spin on the Marianne-Willoughby-Colonel Brandon triangle had me squealing with delight, and I also loved Dev’s take on Lucy Steele.

While you don’t have to read all of the books in the Rajes series in order to enjoy this one, you’ll love it all the more if you do. Not only was it so fun to catch up with my favorite characters from the earlier novels, getting to know the real Yash and tap into all of his complicated layers after seeing him as the polished and infallible older brother was so rewarding. All of these pieces blended together to make this book my favorite of the series so far.

If you love Jane Austen, this book is for you. If you love compelling romance, this book is for you. If you love family stories, complex characters, or tales about the importance of being true to who you really are, this book is for you.
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Lynne M. Spreen
3.0 out of 5 stars Good story, a little slow
Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2021
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What an exciting start to a book: Yash is running for governor of California. He's brilliant, handsome, and ethical. He's a natural leader, and truly wants to do good. Then he's shot at a campaign rally, his bodyguard (a new father) lingers in a coma, and Yash loses his will to continue. Enter India, an equally gifted life coach, who has almost preternatural abilities to understand and heal her clients. She and Yash met years ago at a wedding, and the spark was instantaneous. Then he dumped her. Now they're together again. He's frozen from trauma; she's frozen from heartache. Can they both thaw and be together, since they're clearly meant for each other?

I won't address the author's intention to create a novel that's an homage to Jane Austen. Instead, I'd like to just point out what I felt were the goods and bads of this novel. I wish I could give it more stars, but to be honest, it dragged.

I loved the premise! I really liked Tara (funny negative stories!!) and the family she built. I liked the setting (wealthy northern California), the recognition of what a powerhouse is my beloved state, the Indian cultural aspects, and the dramatic challenges. But I thought China was too flakey. I couldn't get behind India's tolerance of her histrionics. Brandy, the bodyguard, was spectacular but thawed too quickly. Naina, the childhood friend, turned evil at the end, threatening Yash. Although I understand people can change, this seemed far-fetched.

There are good dramatic obstacles in this novel. For one, Yash is literally and figuratively scarred by a childhood accident, plus he was the victim of a sexual predator (extortionist) as a young adult. Will he ever be able to feel lust and love, and to trust? Will the predator resurface? Will Yash lose the election when Naina goes public about their fake-relationship-of-convenience? Will all the hard work, hopes, and dreams for his candidacy be destroyed? Will Tara be well? Will India's beloved home have to be sold? All of these add good dramatic tension.

My problem was with the pacing. The main action occurs in dialogue, but it's not gripping dialogue, and the story dragged a little. Otherwise, I did enjoy it.
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Escondida
5.0 out of 5 stars Let's Hear It for the Girls!!
Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2021
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Incense and Sensibility, Sonali Dev’s third take on Austen classic, tells of the story Yash Raje – the seemingly perfect son, poised to become the next governor of California. What happens when a violent event sounds internal alarms that signal all is not well with this favored son? What happens? The extraordinary and smart women in his life push him to get the help he needs. They push him right into the arms of an unforgettable woman, India Dashwood, family friend, yoga teacher and stress-management expert. She’s also the woman who years ago, made Yash believe in magic and soul mates – the woman who scared him to death and who he walked away from without looking back. Ouch.

It is the women in this story that really shine! They get it done. India Dashwood may be one of my most favorite characters – and that’s saying something considering how much I adore Ashna from Recipe for Persuasion! She is centered, loving, and knows what it is to stand for others. Even when it’s painful, she doesn’t shy away from helping those she loves, and that includes Yash.

These women, whether it’s his sisters, Nisha, Yash’s campaign manager or Trisha, the neurosurgeon, they are self-possessed without being insufferable, they’re people you want to be friends with, and they are the people you want to have standing strong for you and with you. For me, it’s Mina Raje, Yash’s mother, who again, like in the previous books, almost steals the show with her powerful statements. She is wonderful!

What happens next? You’ll have to jump on board the Yash and India Express and hold on for dear life. It’s an intense, passionate, and powerful ride.
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Anni (Bella) reads a lot
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic twist on a Jane Austen Classic!
Reviewed in Canada on December 24, 2021
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The Rajes series by Sonali Dev is twists on Jane Austen classic tales, with modern day Indian characters and their families. And - they are absolutely incredible! I only just discovered Sonali Dev this year, and she is one of my new favourite authors. She is a fantastic storyteller and using the Jane Austen framework to tell her tales is brilliant - I love this series!

This particular book builds on a character we know from the first two - brother Yash Raje. The first books are about his siblings. Yash met a girl 10 years earlier (India Dashwood, who is Thai... not Indian), just one time, but he had an instant connection. They next day, due to circumstances, he had to create a fake relationship with a childhood friend to help cover up an incident, and help out both of their careers. This book takes place when he and that girl from the instant connection meet again due to new circumstances when he requires her professional services... and she is the only one that can help him with his problem. Throwing them together again of course leads to the resurfacing of that initial instant attraction, and throws a wrench into the 10 year plan that he's been relying on to help his political career flourish.

This book and the series (3 so far, with The Emma Project coming Spring 2022) are excellent, but can be read as standalone. The previous characters do appear, but the instances where they do won't affect the reading order and won't really give anything away. She does a great job of making sure of that! I absolutely recommend this series, as well as her Bollywood Affair/Bollywood Bride series, which was my first read of hers - the writing is just too good to miss!
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Book Nut
4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful
Reviewed in Canada on November 5, 2021
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I truly enjoyed this entry in the Raje Series, and it was another wonderful and charming adaptation of a Jane Austen classic. As always, the author dealt with some very serious topics with compassion and directness, but always with enough hope to make it bearable. One drawback, if one can call it that, was that there was a lot of back and forth at the beginning, as in the H kept coming to see the h, then leaving, then coming back, then leaving. It made sense in the context but seemed to go on a little longer than it maybe needed to. Overall, a great book and I'd highly recommend the whole series.
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AvidJosh
3.0 out of 5 stars Still good
Reviewed in Canada on July 11, 2021
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I found this entry in the Raje story difficult to like. I want to because the writing sparkles but this one focuses more on the brother and not the sisters. The Raje girls are irristible. Yash the brother comes across as over privileged and expecting success at every turn and facet of life. It's harder to feel any goodness towards him. Still a good read though.
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Ketaki
5.0 out of 5 stars The best book in the Raje series!
Reviewed in India on October 31, 2021
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Love this book for the simplicity in perspective of both the lead characters though they have been painfully etched with deeper layers of character building and unfolding.
The writing is magical where you realise you meet India Dashwood and you instantly feel her calmness soak into you and the calmness really stays throughout the story and that is a winner for me. Meet Yash Raje and the existential crisis is as real as yours or mine. His legacy though may not be your or my reality, cheers to him for that! Beautiful characters that bring a sense of peace, calm & the will to set things right no matter the cost. Simple yet strong characters that find clarity in the process and help us find clarity along the lines as well. The most well written and lovable story of all Raje's! This one steals your heart and reinforces your faith in believing in yourself.
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Voracious Reader
4.0 out of 5 stars Delightful series
Reviewed in Canada on August 3, 2021
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This trilogy of books were absolutely delightful. It was so much fun to read Austen reimagined in modern day and the characters were all rich and complex and fun to get to know. I loved how this book branched out from family a little. I hope there are more to come!
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