When Dimple Met Rishi, one of my most anticipated summer reads, finally released this week! It’s the charming story of two Indian-American teens whose parents conspire to set them up despite the fact that they couldn’t be more different. It’s adorable, funny, and basically everything you would ever want in a YA rom-com. If you’re not sold from that alone, here are seven more reasons you should read When Dimple Met Rishi ASAP!

1. A Hilarious Arranged Marriage Rom-com

Hearing the words “arranged marriage rom-com” was simply music to my ears. Before this book existed, I didn’t know how badly I wanted a story like this. Dimple’s parents are obsessed with her finding the “Ideal Indian Husband,” even though she has no interest in getting married any time soon. Dimple is much more interested in her college and career opportunities. On the other hand, Rishi has always admired his parents’ marriage, so when they tell him they’d like him to meet the daughter of family friend, he’s over the moon with excitement. Unfortunately, they forget to tell Rishi that Dimple doesn’t know anything about their plan… To say their initial meeting is crazy is an understatement, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t love in the air!

2. Dimple’s Passion for Web Development

I’m all for books that show girls and women in STEM disciplines. Dimple is committed to succeeding in a career in web development, so much so that she signs up for an exclusive summer course that could give her the chance to meet her female-coder idol. Her drive and perseverance, especially in the face of the expectations she feels her parents are placing on her, is something to be admired. Dimple is an amazing example to us all.

3. Lovable Characters

When Dimple Met Rishi is told from the dual perspectives of both Dimple and Rishi. I’m not sure I’ve ever met two characters who are so easy to love. You’ll be inspired by Dimple’s determination to succeed and wish she was your best friend because of her sassiness. Meanwhile, Rishi’s desire to adhere to his family’s traditional values and unwavering romanticism will have you falling in love with him. From the various viewpoints, you really get a glimpse into the minds of these well-crafted characters and the result is that you’ll come away enamored with them both. They’re two completely different characters, yet together, they make perfect sense.

4. An Awesome Summer Program

The characters in this book are attending Insomnia Con, a four week program dedicated to web development. The soon-to-be college students get to spend their time living in the dorms and getting a taste of college life, while also learning valuable tips and tools for web development. This program is equal parts work (they have to come up with and create a working app) and fun (they go on adventures and attend some fun events). It has a little bit of everything and helps both Dimple and Rishi realize their true potentials.

5. A Really Cool Contest

The end goal of Insomnia Con is to create an app they will present the judges. If their app wins, the creators will have the chance to present it to a legendary developer. It’s an incredible incentive for Dimple to win, but it’s really fun learning about the different teams’ ideas (especially since some of them…well, aren’t as good as they are funny).

6. A Diverse Read

This book is much needed, not only because it’s a wonderful read, but also because we don’t get enough stories about Indian-American teens. I loved watching Dimple and Rishi navigating this cultural landscape, and I learned a lot, too.

7. It’s Simply Adorable

This book gives me a serious case of the feels. It’s so heartwarming and lovely to see these characters go through their personal journeys while sorting out their feelings for one another. Dimple and Rishi may not have a ton in common, but they’re great influences on each other. Dimple forces Rishi to acknowledge what he wants and what makes him happy, regardless of traditions and expectations. Rishi helps Dimple gain confidence in herself and appreciate life’s little joys, even if they aren’t contributing directly to her self-set end goal. I’m a sucker for stories like this, and When Dimple Met Rishi had me smiling the entire time.