Monogamy Is Overrated

By: Dhara Shah

Narrated by: Amie Kieffer

Length: 4 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

From being off-limits to being in love with your brother's best friend. Will Seema change Adrian's philosophy on love? Adrian is convinced that monogamy is overrated. No wonder most relationships end with cheating, separation, divorces, and break-ups.

Contrastingly, Seema believes in one true love, the foundation of monogamy. They argued as teenagers, and they continue to argue today about monogamy. Adrian is her older brother's best friend. Growing up, they were always off-limits to each other. Things turn upside down when the two move into the same city for work as adults. Will Seema change Adrian's mind?

©2022 Dhara Shah (P)2022 Dhara Shah

Mostly Enjoyable

The characters were relatable and dynamic. The story line seemed original which made it interesting. Parts of the story left me scratching my head. The author’s writing style also made it difficult for me to connect with. But, it was overall enjoyable and I think many fans of second-chance romance would like it.

Quick second chance rom-com!

Seema and Adrian might have grown up together, but their feelings on monogamy couldn’t be more different. Seema has long believed in love built to last, while Adrian has yet to be convinced that two people can really live their lives together and remain happy and in love. But they do have one thing in common: an attraction to each other that began as teenagers and ended with unfinished business. After years apart, Seema and Adrian find themselves in the same city, in the same building, right across the hall from each other. Will these two keep on pretending that the attraction between them doesn’t exist, or will they finally give in and realize their potential together?

Common themes in this book are second-chance, forbidden romance, forced proximity, culture clash/mixed heritage, fake(ish) dating. This was a very quick listen. The author Dhara Shah uses her background in psychology to portray her characters in real-life situations, and as a writer raised in American to Indian parents, she brings authentic diversity to the characters in this book. The experiences and challenges that Seema and Adrian face in the pasts and present in this book are very realistic situations that can happen to anyone.

Cute story tackling the concept of monogamy

Thank you Dhara Shah for the gifted audiobook of Monogamy is Overrated. Aime Kieffer narrated this well.

This is a cute story that tackles the concept of monogamy. Adrien and Seema have opposing views. Adrien doesn’t believe in monogamy and throughout the book his actions show this, yet Seema is determined to turn him into a believer. Who will be the victor?

Add to your TBR:
💛Brothers best friend
💛Arranged dating
💛Spice
💛Short read
💛Family conflict (Seema’s family has some seriously strong views)

She cute and spicy!

•Book Review•

📖: Monogamy is Overrated
✍🏼: @dharashahauthor

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was such a fun, sweet and easy read! I definitely was in need of some spice and something light while tackling two psychological thrillers are the same time! (Dumb, I know 🤦🏻‍♀️) I really enjoyed this story!! The love story between Seema and Adrian, dates back to their childhood, (which I’m always a sucker for) and then turns enemies to lovers trope, while also being a, your brother is my best friend… I can’t!

Ugh, you guys the spice… I was here for it; I actually would have been great with some more even!! I thoroughly enjoyed Dhara’s characters, and how she helped intertwine two very different cultures! (WE NEED MORE OF THE INCLUSION FACTOR!) and yet again, I love supporting an author of color.

Quick Romance

Thank you for the ARC!

I found this to be a quick romance read. It has a lot of popular tropes in it (brother’s best friend, interracial couple, second chance romance, HEA). This was interesting, I appreciate the representation of a different relationship type. For a lot of people monogamy is not the goal. Getting to see a couple as they work through what that looks like and question what a relationship is and could be is an important narrative to have.

I feel like it was a little rushed, like we could have used some more time with them wrestling with this idea because for many people considering this option it can come with a lot of hard conversations. I liked the story and their banter so that could also be why I wanted more from them.

All in all, it’s a quick romance with spice and worth a listen. May you get questioning your own ideas of what a relationship could be

Quick, cute, and lighthearted read

3.75/5 stars
2/5 spice

A quick, cute, and lighthearted read. 

Tropes:
Brother's best friend 
Banter
Multicultural 
Dual POV
Arranged dating
Virgin FMC

I loved the banter between Adrian and Seema, something they've always had since growing up together. 

I wish this book was a little longer so that there was more time to develop the characters. There was more telling than showing and very little character development. I actually enjoyed the little family drama because it felt more personal... so it stuck out the most. 

There is spice in this book but very low on my scale because they were very short and minimally graphic. 

I received an audiobook ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Quick, fast paced, endearing Rom- Com

This was a quick, easy read with good quality audio. The narration was well done and flowed well with the story of the characters. I enjoyed the simple story line and sweet 2nd chance romance of old friends becoming lovers despite cultural differences and familial interference. The chemistry between Seema and Adrian was cozy and endearing. I enjoyed Adrian’s tug of war battle with his heart to maintain his beliefs about monogamy, while acting on his growing affection for Seema. I also enjoyed Seema’s determination for the pursuit of love and her bravery to engage in challenging Adrian about his relationship beliefs. There were several heart melting moments as their relationship developed, and overall I enjoyed this story. Loved this one!