Overview

Nineteen-year-old Rani Deshpande is on a mission to reinvent herself the summer before transferring to her new university. After a challenging freshman year, Rani can't help but feel like she's playing catch up. To that end, she's crafted a packed summer to get back on track: a dream internship, adventures with her hometown best friend, and regular driving lessons so that she can finally lose her passenger princess reputation - even if it means learning from her aggravating family friend (and childhood crush), Kush Khanna. Kush and Rani grew up together, but they couldn't be less alike. Within their close-knit Desi community - a Jane Austen style cast of ridiculous, meddlesome families - Kush is the beloved model son; Rani is more the black sheep. Kush is pre-med; Rani plans to teach elementary school. Kush is cool and collected, bordering on reticent; Rani couldn't keep her mouth shut if her life depended on it. So when their mothers first force the pair to drive together, the arrangement feels like a recipe for disaster. As the lessons progress, however, Rani discovers there's more to the boy she's known her whole life than meets the eye. In Arushi Avachat's Rani Deshpande Takes the Wheel, Rani must learn to course-correct, no matter how bumpy or windy the road - and even if it includes a detour right into love.

Full Product Details

9781250895912

Table of Contents

Reviews

Praise for Rani Deshpande Takes the Wheel: ""I absolutely adored Rani Deshpande Takes the Wheel. Arushi Avachat's charming romance is everything I love--witty banter, delicious food, whipsmart main characters, and a family that's lovingly overwhelming. A must read for fans of enemies-to-lovers!"" - Jennifer Chen, author of Checking You Out ""Warm, witty, and sweet, Rani Deshpande Takes the Wheel is a cozy hug of a book and a new YA classic."" - Camryn Garrett, author of In Between Days Praise for Arya Khanna's Bollywood Romance: ""Cinematic."" - Teen Vogue ""A story full of drama and song... Readers who pick up this debut, inspired by the sheer fun of it all, will wish for some masala chai and chaat and then put on a Bollywood number and dance, inspired by the sheer fun of it all. Lovable, frothy, and happy-making."" - Kirkus ""Avachat's fun, atmospheric debut admirably joins the ranks of YA romance...This rich Bollywood-esque tale is filled to the brim with Punjabi culture and unadulterated familial love."" - Booklist ""A debut high-school rom-com from author Arushi Avachat, Arya Khanna's Bollywood Moment itself takes the structure of a Bollywood film, with all the heart and drama expected of the genre. It's refreshing to root for Avachat's protagonist, Arya, as she helps her family prepare for her sister's wedding, all while juggling school, work, ample interfamilial strife, and the enemies-to-lovers lure of her student council rival. A sweet, colorful coming-of-age tale with the right serving of romance."" - ELLE Magazine ""Debut author Arushi Avachat, a UCLA senior who hails from the Bay Area, brings a big Indian wedding to bustling life in this YA romance. Structured like a Bollywood movie, the novel stars Arya, a high school senior juggling her older sister's impending wedding, friend drama, family tensions and one 'frustratingly attractive' schoolmate."" - San Francisco Chronicle ""Readers seeking a sweet and lively story need look no further. Arya's older sister's impending wedding―a grand Punjabi affair―is just one of the things that's causing upheaval during her senior year. Another is Dean, the handsome but irritating boy who beat her by six votes to become student council president. But forced proximity at school eventually leads to a Bollywood-worthy romance."" - Kirkus ""A tender coming-of-age story that navigates fraught friendships, first loves and the thorny love of family. Avachat is a fresh and sparkling voice, and sure to be a star on the rise."" - Roshani Chokshi, New York Times bestselling author of The Gilded Wolves ""Avachat's debut is an endearing slice of life story that explores how relationships evolve as we come of age: with our friends, our families, and maybe even our rivals. Bubbly and endlessly charming, Arya Khanna's Bollywood Moment is a cozy contemporary to warm the soul."" - Jesmeen Kaur Deo, author of TJ Powar Has Something to Prove ""Lovable and snarky Arya is the perfectly imperfect character to follow through the highs and lows of sisterhood, friendship, and romance. Avachat's endearing slice of life contemporary nails the energy of a classic teen coming of age story while still feeling delightfully fresh."" -Racquel Marie, author of Ophelia After All ""Arushi Avachat's debut is a sparkling love story for anyone who's ever had to juggle real life responsibilities and relationships while enduring an epic family wedding. A joy to read."" - award-winning author Nisha Sharma ""An emotional and heartfelt debut, Arya Khanna sparkles with a complex family, the sweetest romance, and laugh-out-loud moments of fun. A wonderful new voice in the contemporary sphere!"" - Aamna Qureshi, award-winning author of The Lady or the Lion ""Part family drama, part good old high school antics, Avachat's debut affectionately portrays the conflict and love in Arya Khanna's Punjabi-American family coming to a head during the hubbub of planning her older sister's wedding, all while she tries to figure out if her competitive relationship with the student body president could be something more. A sweet, culturally rich story about first love, forgiveness, and realizing people aren't always what they seem."" ― Lillie Vale, author of Beauty and the Besharam, The Decoy Girlfriend, and The Shaadi Set-Up

Praise for Rani Deshpande Takes the Wheel: ""I absolutely adored Rani Deshpande Takes the Wheel. Arushi Avachat's charming romance is everything I love--witty banter, delicious food, whipsmart main characters, and a family that's lovingly overwhelming. A must read for fans of enemies-to-lovers!"" - Jennifer Chen, author of Checking You Out ""Rani Deshpande Takes the Wheel is a witty, irresistible rom-com about a summer of changes. As the eldest daughter, Rani has spent years putting others first, but now she's determined to blaze her own path--even if it means enduring driving lessons with her childhood crush and the chaos of her meddling relatives. Funny, tender, and utterly charming, Arushi Avachat expertly redefines and uplifts South Asian representation through Rani's journey of self-discovery and what it truly means to drive her own life."" - Ananya Devarajan, author of Sanskari Sweetheart ""Warm, witty, and sweet, Rani Deshpande Takes the Wheel is a cozy hug of a book and a new YA classic."" - Camryn Garrett, author of In Between Days Praise for Arya Khanna's Bollywood Romance: ""Cinematic."" - Teen Vogue ""A story full of drama and song... Readers who pick up this debut, inspired by the sheer fun of it all, will wish for some masala chai and chaat and then put on a Bollywood number and dance, inspired by the sheer fun of it all. Lovable, frothy, and happy-making."" - Kirkus ""Avachat's fun, atmospheric debut admirably joins the ranks of YA romance...This rich Bollywood-esque tale is filled to the brim with Punjabi culture and unadulterated familial love."" - Booklist ""A debut high-school rom-com from author Arushi Avachat, Arya Khanna's Bollywood Moment itself takes the structure of a Bollywood film, with all the heart and drama expected of the genre. It's refreshing to root for Avachat's protagonist, Arya, as she helps her family prepare for her sister's wedding, all while juggling school, work, ample interfamilial strife, and the enemies-to-lovers lure of her student council rival. A sweet, colorful coming-of-age tale with the right serving of romance."" - ELLE Magazine ""Debut author Arushi Avachat, a UCLA senior who hails from the Bay Area, brings a big Indian wedding to bustling life in this YA romance. Structured like a Bollywood movie, the novel stars Arya, a high school senior juggling her older sister's impending wedding, friend drama, family tensions and one 'frustratingly attractive' schoolmate."" - San Francisco Chronicle ""Readers seeking a sweet and lively story need look no further. Arya's older sister's impending wedding―a grand Punjabi affair―is just one of the things that's causing upheaval during her senior year. Another is Dean, the handsome but irritating boy who beat her by six votes to become student council president. But forced proximity at school eventually leads to a Bollywood-worthy romance."" - Kirkus ""A tender coming-of-age story that navigates fraught friendships, first loves and the thorny love of family. Avachat is a fresh and sparkling voice, and sure to be a star on the rise."" - Roshani Chokshi, New York Times bestselling author of The Gilded Wolves ""Avachat's debut is an endearing slice of life story that explores how relationships evolve as we come of age: with our friends, our families, and maybe even our rivals. Bubbly and endlessly charming, Arya Khanna's Bollywood Moment is a cozy contemporary to warm the soul."" - Jesmeen Kaur Deo, author of TJ Powar Has Something to Prove ""Lovable and snarky Arya is the perfectly imperfect character to follow through the highs and lows of sisterhood, friendship, and romance. Avachat's endearing slice of life contemporary nails the energy of a classic teen coming of age story while still feeling delightfully fresh."" -Racquel Marie, author of Ophelia After All ""Arushi Avachat's debut is a sparkling love story for anyone who's ever had to juggle real life responsibilities and relationships while enduring an epic family wedding. A joy to read."" - award-winning author Nisha Sharma ""An emotional and heartfelt debut, Arya Khanna sparkles with a complex family, the sweetest romance, and laugh-out-loud moments of fun. A wonderful new voice in the contemporary sphere!"" - Aamna Qureshi, award-winning author of The Lady or the Lion ""Part family drama, part good old high school antics, Avachat's debut affectionately portrays the conflict and love in Arya Khanna's Punjabi-American family coming to a head during the hubbub of planning her older sister's wedding, all while she tries to figure out if her competitive relationship with the student body president could be something more. A sweet, culturally rich story about first love, forgiveness, and realizing people aren't always what they seem."" ― Lillie Vale, author of Beauty and the Besharam, The Decoy Girlfriend, and The Shaadi Set-Up

Praise for Rani Deshpande Takes the Wheel: * The Nerd Daily, ""72 Anticipated YA Books Releases Of 2026"" ""I absolutely adored Rani Deshpande Takes the Wheel. Arushi Avachat's charming romance is everything I love--witty banter, delicious food, whipsmart main characters, and a family that's lovingly overwhelming. A must read for fans of enemies-to-lovers!"" - Jennifer Chen, author of Checking You Out ""Rani Deshpande Takes the Wheel is a witty, irresistible rom-com about a summer of changes. As the eldest daughter, Rani has spent years putting others first, but now she's determined to blaze her own path--even if it means enduring driving lessons with her childhood crush and the chaos of her meddling relatives. Funny, tender, and utterly charming, Arushi Avachat expertly redefines and uplifts South Asian representation through Rani's journey of self-discovery and what it truly means to drive her own life."" - Ananya Devarajan, author of Sanskari Sweetheart ""Warm, witty, and sweet, Rani Deshpande Takes the Wheel is a cozy hug of a book and a new YA classic."" - Camryn Garrett, author of In Between Days ""As comforting and entertaining as a conversation with a best friend, Rani Deshpande Takes the Wheel has a bit of everything: friendship, romance, humor, and family. I adored Avachat's attention to detail, smooth narration, and cultural references. Wonderfully well-done!"" - Aamna Qureshi, USA Today bestselling author of A Witch's Guide to Love and Poison Praise for Arya Khanna's Bollywood Romance: ""Cinematic."" - Teen Vogue ""A story full of drama and song... Readers who pick up this debut, inspired by the sheer fun of it all, will wish for some masala chai and chaat and then put on a Bollywood number and dance, inspired by the sheer fun of it all. Lovable, frothy, and happy-making."" - Kirkus ""Avachat's fun, atmospheric debut admirably joins the ranks of YA romance...This rich Bollywood-esque tale is filled to the brim with Punjabi culture and unadulterated familial love."" - Booklist ""A debut high-school rom-com from author Arushi Avachat, Arya Khanna's Bollywood Moment itself takes the structure of a Bollywood film, with all the heart and drama expected of the genre. It's refreshing to root for Avachat's protagonist, Arya, as she helps her family prepare for her sister's wedding, all while juggling school, work, ample interfamilial strife, and the enemies-to-lovers lure of her student council rival. A sweet, colorful coming-of-age tale with the right serving of romance."" - ELLE Magazine ""Debut author Arushi Avachat, a UCLA senior who hails from the Bay Area, brings a big Indian wedding to bustling life in this YA romance. Structured like a Bollywood movie, the novel stars Arya, a high school senior juggling her older sister's impending wedding, friend drama, family tensions and one 'frustratingly attractive' schoolmate."" - San Francisco Chronicle ""Readers seeking a sweet and lively story need look no further. Arya's older sister's impending wedding―a grand Punjabi affair―is just one of the things that's causing upheaval during her senior year. Another is Dean, the handsome but irritating boy who beat her by six votes to become student council president. But forced proximity at school eventually leads to a Bollywood-worthy romance."" - Kirkus ""A tender coming-of-age story that navigates fraught friendships, first loves and the thorny love of family. Avachat is a fresh and sparkling voice, and sure to be a star on the rise."" - Roshani Chokshi, New York Times bestselling author of The Gilded Wolves ""Avachat's debut is an endearing slice of life story that explores how relationships evolve as we come of age: with our friends, our families, and maybe even our rivals. Bubbly and endlessly charming, Arya Khanna's Bollywood Moment is a cozy contemporary to warm the soul."" - Jesmeen Kaur Deo, author of TJ Powar Has Something to Prove ""Lovable and snarky Arya is the perfectly imperfect character to follow through the highs and lows of sisterhood, friendship, and romance. Avachat's endearing slice of life contemporary nails the energy of a classic teen coming of age story while still feeling delightfully fresh."" -Racquel Marie, author of Ophelia After All ""Arushi Avachat's debut is a sparkling love story for anyone who's ever had to juggle real life responsibilities and relationships while enduring an epic family wedding. A joy to read."" - award-winning author Nisha Sharma ""An emotional and heartfelt debut, Arya Khanna sparkles with a complex family, the sweetest romance, and laugh-out-loud moments of fun. A wonderful new voice in the contemporary sphere!"" - Aamna Qureshi, award-winning author of The Lady or the Lion ""Part family drama, part good old high school antics, Avachat's debut affectionately portrays the conflict and love in Arya Khanna's Punjabi-American family coming to a head during the hubbub of planning her older sister's wedding, all while she tries to figure out if her competitive relationship with the student body president could be something more. A sweet, culturally rich story about first love, forgiveness, and realizing people aren't always what they seem."" ― Lillie Vale, author of Beauty and the Besharam, The Decoy Girlfriend, and The Shaadi Set-Up

Author Information

ARUSHI AVACHAT is a writer from the Bay Area. She studied English, Political Science, and South Asian Studies at UCLA. A 2024 Marshall Scholar, Arushi received her MSt in English and American Studies from Oxford University. Arushi loves dark chocolate, Jane Austen books, and California winters. She is the author of Arya Khanna's Bollywood Moment and Rani Deshpande Takes the Wheel and a contributor to the YA anthology Study Break.

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