Incense and Sensibility

Incense and Sensibility

  • Downloads:2395
  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2021-08-19 06:52:12
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Sonali Dev
  • ISBN:006305180X
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

The author of Recipe for Persuasion—“not only one of the best but one of the bravest romance novelists working today” (Shelf Awareness)—adds an Indian American twist to Jane Austen's classic Sense and Sensibility in this delightful retelling that is a feast for the senses。

Yash Raje, California’s first serious Indian gubernatorial candidate, has always known exactly what he wants—and how to use his privileged background to get it。 He attributes his success to a simple mantra: control your feelings and you can control the world。

But when a hate-fueled incident at a rally critically injures his friend, Yash’s easy life suddenly feels like a lie, his control an illusion。 When he tries to get back on the campaign trail, he blacks out with panic。

Desperate to keep Yash’s condition from leaking to the media, his family turns to the one person they trust—his sister’s best friend, India Dashwood, California’s foremost stress management coach。 Raised by a family of yoga teachers, India has helped San Francisco’s high strung overachievers for a decade without so much as altering her breath。 But this man—with his boundless ambition, simmering intensity, and absolute faith in his political beliefs—is like no other。 Yash has spent a lifetime repressing everything to succeed。

Including their one magical night ten years ago—a too brief, too bright passion that if rekindled threatens the life he’s crafted for himself。 Exposing the secrets might be the only way to save him but it’s also guaranteed to destroy the dream he’s willingly shouldered for his family and community 。 。 。 until now。

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Reviews

Elizabeth

I love this series so much。

Lizenbyl

Yash Raje and India are two people that meet at a wedding and she falls in love with him。 This relationship is kept secret for several years as he moves on in his life with his career and running for California's governor。 As the campaign trail becomes complicated and someone attempts to take Yash's life, he seeks help from India who has become a stress management and yoga guru。 Their relationship once again develops。 Yash Raje and India are two people that meet at a wedding and she falls in love with him。 This relationship is kept secret for several years as he moves on in his life with his career and running for California's governor。 As the campaign trail becomes complicated and someone attempts to take Yash's life, he seeks help from India who has become a stress management and yoga guru。 Their relationship once again develops。 。。。more

Audrey

3。5 starsFinally, Yash’s story。 After so much talk about him in the earlier two books, I wanted to read about the wonder boy and this didn’t disappoint。 This really is a modern retelling of Persuasion with a close knit, yet flawed family。 India and her family also have an interesting background and has a perfect contrast to the Rajes。 As the plot unfolds, Dev effortlessly weaves in Yash’s trauma and the pressures he faces from both the public and family expectations as well as how India balances 3。5 starsFinally, Yash’s story。 After so much talk about him in the earlier two books, I wanted to read about the wonder boy and this didn’t disappoint。 This really is a modern retelling of Persuasion with a close knit, yet flawed family。 India and her family also have an interesting background and has a perfect contrast to the Rajes。 As the plot unfolds, Dev effortlessly weaves in Yash’s trauma and the pressures he faces from both the public and family expectations as well as how India balances him。 I hope the next book will have the absent siblings from both families meet。 。。。more

Momma Bear

Well structured and written。 A book that is perfect for the current climate with BLM, racism against Asians, the two sides of #metoo, and gun control。 Unfortunately, I could not connect with the characters。

Farhana JC

DNF at 45%The premise of the book is soo good and I love how multi-layered and fleshed out the hero and heroine are。 I just dont think I was able to get through it because its very slow-paced。 Will try and finish it later on in the year hopefully 😬

Shivangi Yadav

I really wanted to like this one, considering Yash's book was long awaited but this one did not work for me and all。 And part of the reason is that nothing is explained to us at all。 Things happen, we are to take them at face value。 We are again and again told Yash is great leader but he comes across as someone who can't decide anything at all and the repetitions of his thinking and visions is annoying。Anyway, I am marking this as a fluke by Dev and will wait and see what she serves up next。 I really wanted to like this one, considering Yash's book was long awaited but this one did not work for me and all。 And part of the reason is that nothing is explained to us at all。 Things happen, we are to take them at face value。 We are again and again told Yash is great leader but he comes across as someone who can't decide anything at all and the repetitions of his thinking and visions is annoying。Anyway, I am marking this as a fluke by Dev and will wait and see what she serves up next。 。。。more

Katelyn Beane

I really enjoyed the relationship between Yash and India。 I thought that the story was well written and had a great pace。 I do wish that we could've of gotten to see more of the fallout from Naima's manipulations。 I've noticed this author has a habit of glossing over the bad stuff or ignoring the consequences; actions should have more weight especially actions that hurt you。 I really enjoyed the relationship between Yash and India。 I thought that the story was well written and had a great pace。 I do wish that we could've of gotten to see more of the fallout from Naima's manipulations。 I've noticed this author has a habit of glossing over the bad stuff or ignoring the consequences; actions should have more weight especially actions that hurt you。 。。。more

Carrie H

Cute。 Cheesy。 A nice beach read。 Definitely chick lit。

Marcie

My favorite of the series so far, probably because I liked these characters the best。 They might come off to some people as a little too good/unbelievable, but I saw them as good reflections of their Sense and Sensibility counterparts。

Ria

Disappointed。Yash was so much better in the first book。 India and her mom were really annoying。 1。5/10

Diane

Based on the Jane Austen novel Sense and Sensibility it has the fragrance of Austen without being rigidly confined to the story。 In fact I was almost 25% through the book before I could actually see the S&S storyline emerging。Yash and India are two strong characters who are willing to do anything to protect and care for their parents, siblings or friends。 One kiss 10 years ago was enough to change both of their lives but they stepped away to do what was expected of them。This is really a very hea Based on the Jane Austen novel Sense and Sensibility it has the fragrance of Austen without being rigidly confined to the story。 In fact I was almost 25% through the book before I could actually see the S&S storyline emerging。Yash and India are two strong characters who are willing to do anything to protect and care for their parents, siblings or friends。 One kiss 10 years ago was enough to change both of their lives but they stepped away to do what was expected of them。This is really a very heartbreaking story but worth the read。 You can see their pain but still keep hoping that they can overcome the pressure to find their happily ever after。 。。。more

Ari

I want this series to wow me so badly and it just never happens! At this point I'd settle for "entertain" but these novels do not click with me。 I had high hopes for this one because Yash seemed like such an intriguing, albeit mysteriously absent, character in the other books。 This time a lot of my discontent stems from being too involved in the political world, the inaccuracies or stretching of the truth to suit the plot annoyed me to no end because I know better。 Yash hiring his family and fri I want this series to wow me so badly and it just never happens! At this point I'd settle for "entertain" but these novels do not click with me。 I had high hopes for this one because Yash seemed like such an intriguing, albeit mysteriously absent, character in the other books。 This time a lot of my discontent stems from being too involved in the political world, the inaccuracies or stretching of the truth to suit the plot annoyed me to no end because I know better。 Yash hiring his family and friends to run his entire campaign is something that basically still happens in the real world but the fact that he faces no negative press for it is remarkable (and unrealistic)。 What I found even more disappointing and ludacris was the lack of class analysis in this series。 Jane Austen is known for writing about the marriage plot but also class and social commentary。 This book expects us to believe that a wealthy thirty four year old running for governor with very little experience wouldn't face extra scrutiny from both voters and the press? Not to much a missed opportunity for the author to explore race and class, as she BRIEFLY (blink and you miss it) does in the first book。 There could have been a really interesting and meaty dissection of how white voters reacted to not only a wealthy young guy running for governor but a wealthy BROWN young guy running but that's not even mentioned。 Instead his wealth is showcased like it's a great thing, at one point his mom gets the great idea to show California voters (through the press) their palatial San Francisco area estate and no one bats an eye。 Now obviously I wanted Yash to win, while he's not progressive it's clear that he is a liberal Democrat but I was disappointed that the author completely whiffed on an opportunity to make this romance lite story really hone in on some unique issues not talked about in the genre。 I also didn't understand the point of making India Thai or the product of a transracial adoption (ditto for China and the veyr absent Siddhartha。 Side note: what does this author have against brothers?? They are only mentioned never featured lol)。 I don't understand why authors go out of their way to include a character's heritage if they aren't going to incorporate it in a meaningful way。 It felt like a placeholder attempt to showcase the diversity of the Bay Area and the series writ large。 It didn't need to be a major tension point but why go to great pains to make note of it, and her half Indian adopted mother?I say romance lite because truly these books do not strike me as a romance beyond the HEA。 In this book in particular there's lots of pining but very little sexual tension。 This is partly due to Yash recovering from several traumatic incidents so that's completely plausible and beautifully handled。 But if you want a steamy romance this is not it。 It's the most chaste of all the books in the series, contrary to the whole "they spent one amazing night" summary on the back of the book which was disappointing。 In particular it was a bummer because there is so much hype made about the first time Yash and India meet。 I couldn't understand why the author didn't present that in a flashback (as she did in the previous book) instead using the passive voice to assure the readers that it was a magical night。 The end result being that we never witness Yash and India's chemistry, we're constantly told that they're drawn to each other。 There's lots of angst! But we never see it firsthand and there's no swoony depictions of love either。 It's all very pleasant and dull and that goes for Yash and India too。 There's no real reason Yash gives as to why he's a public servant。 He wants to be governor and cares about all the issues but I wanted to know his "why" beyond his charisma and youth。 Not knowing that along with his more reserved character made it hard to feel attached。 Similarly India is calm and straightforward but reserved so she too remains distant。 This contributes to the lack of chemistry previously complained about。INCENSE AND SENSIBILITY is a so-so Sense & Sensibility retelling that suffers from flat characters and an underdeveloped plot。 The premise is inspired but the execution fails to match up to the intrigue and romance promised。 At this point I'm lowkey hate reading this series although that term feels too harsh。 I don't hate the books, I appreciate that they focus on a big, mostly loving, Indian family with very different lives but the books are never memorable。 I'm invested in the series because I don't like not completing a series and I genuinely have no idea who the fourth book will be about。 I know it will be a twist on EMMA and suspect it will feature the mysterious youngest Raje brother or their psychic cousin but I have no idea how Dev will pull either of those stories off。 I don't expect I'll like it any more than the other books in the series but I'm curious enough to want to read it whenever it comes out。 。。。more

Jasmine

While I'm usually annoyed with books taking on the theme of my favourite author, I appreciated the spin placed on this story line by the author。 Rediscovering a favourite story with a bit of a modern twist was enjoyable。。。。 While I'm usually annoyed with books taking on the theme of my favourite author, I appreciated the spin placed on this story line by the author。 Rediscovering a favourite story with a bit of a modern twist was enjoyable。。。。 。。。more

DeeDee

Part of me wants to, if I could, put it just a smidge under 5。 I loved the characters and could picture everything going on in the story, which I love。 I just, personally, felt a little rushed towards the end when all of the pieces started crumbling AND falling into place。 So much happened I couldn’t savor or totally process each point。 Overall would totally recommend and look forward to more of Sonali Dev Novels! She is an excellent writer!

Carolyne | Jane Austen Bookstagrammer

Incense and Sensibility by Sonali Dev is a well-crafted and entertaining retelling of Sense and Sensibility。 Dev goes beyond Jane Austen’s original story to create a fleshed out and touching romance between India Dashwood, a yoga teacher/stress management coach who bears all of her family’s woes and Yash Raje a politician who bears all of his family’s expectations。 Dev also cleverly reimagines the Marianne-Willoughby-Colonel Brandon triangle for the 21st century and creates a more complex and sy Incense and Sensibility by Sonali Dev is a well-crafted and entertaining retelling of Sense and Sensibility。 Dev goes beyond Jane Austen’s original story to create a fleshed out and touching romance between India Dashwood, a yoga teacher/stress management coach who bears all of her family’s woes and Yash Raje a politician who bears all of his family’s expectations。 Dev also cleverly reimagines the Marianne-Willoughby-Colonel Brandon triangle for the 21st century and creates a more complex and sympathetic Lucy Steele。 Though dark at times, Dev, like Austen, doesn’t hesitate to address the social issues of her age, the overall tone of the book remains light。 Incense and Sensibility, the 3rd book in The Rajes series, is a timely and satisfying retelling of Sense and Sensibility。 。。。more

Nasty Lady MJ

God, this was just a pain in the ass to read。 Somehow I was able to finish it but I still feel like I don't get these characters at all。 God, this was just a pain in the ass to read。 Somehow I was able to finish it but I still feel like I don't get these characters at all。 。。。more

Marline

I ended up skimming the last 100 pages or so as I had lost interest, but still wanted to finish it。

Renaissance Kate

My favorite of the Raje books so far and the best of Dev's Jane Austen retellings! I absolutely loved it。 Full RTC! My favorite of the Raje books so far and the best of Dev's Jane Austen retellings! I absolutely loved it。 Full RTC! 。。。more

RivkaBelle

**4。5 Stars, rounded upI love this series。 I love the juxtaposition of timeless Jane Austen stories with current events and characters and scenarios。 I love the colorful cast of characters, and how very flawed they can be。This installment is Sense and Sensibility, and it's delightful。 Marianne (incarnated as China) is still a character I cannot stand - but in this instance, I couldn't stand her a little less than usual。 India (Elinor) is endearing, and I relate a little too much to her need to d **4。5 Stars, rounded upI love this series。 I love the juxtaposition of timeless Jane Austen stories with current events and characters and scenarios。 I love the colorful cast of characters, and how very flawed they can be。This installment is Sense and Sensibility, and it's delightful。 Marianne (incarnated as China) is still a character I cannot stand - but in this instance, I couldn't stand her a little less than usual。 India (Elinor) is endearing, and I relate a little too much to her need to do things all on her own。 As usual the entire Raje clan is overwhelmingly robust and we all need a clan, ya know?I just love this series。 I need more。 I hope there's more。 Jane does have 3 more novels 。。。 hehe 。。。more

Ashley

I Still love this series。 I hope there will be more。 I want to know more about the other siblings and family members。 This one was really good though。

IA

I enjoyed the story but my problem was with the pacing。 The main action occurs in dialogue, but it's not a gripping dialogue, and the story dragged a little。 Otherwise, I did enjoy it's okay。 I enjoyed the story but my problem was with the pacing。 The main action occurs in dialogue, but it's not a gripping dialogue, and the story dragged a little。 Otherwise, I did enjoy it's okay。 。。。more

Cori

I love the Rajes - don't let this end! ❤️ I love the Rajes - don't let this end! ❤️ 。。。more

Stacy

Every Raje family book gets better。 India and Yash are both just such admirable people that you can do nothing but cheer for them and wish that we could have real politicians be so service driven。 I decided to re-read Sense and Sensibility before starting this, even though I find it the most painfully insipid Austen book。 I found that I detested S&S even more the second time, but I'm glad I put myself through that anyway, because it made me appreciate that much more how Dev took the Austen found Every Raje family book gets better。 India and Yash are both just such admirable people that you can do nothing but cheer for them and wish that we could have real politicians be so service driven。 I decided to re-read Sense and Sensibility before starting this, even though I find it the most painfully insipid Austen book。 I found that I detested S&S even more the second time, but I'm glad I put myself through that anyway, because it made me appreciate that much more how Dev took the Austen foundation and improved on it。 She took what was lame about S&S - Edward's wishy-washiness, Brandon's lack of real motivation for "love", Elinor's stoic passivity, and made her modern versions strong, driven, and worthy, and gave them real justifications for their emotions and their actions。 Also, I loved seeing Mama Raje lay a little smackdown on HRH when he started to get too high handed (just wish it happened a little more often)。 I'm super looking forward to the next book but I'm also going to be a little sad to see this series end。 。。。more

Nora Kovacs

This is the third book in the Raje series and it doesn't disappoint。 Can't wait for more。 This is the third book in the Raje series and it doesn't disappoint。 Can't wait for more。 。。。more

Debbie

I love this world with the Rajes that Sonali Dev has created。 Jane Austen may have inspired her writing, but these books are so unique in and of themselves and I thoroughly enjoyed all three novels。 This is a delightful way to wrap-up the series, with all the characters from previous series showing up and some point or another, plus a few extras for spice。 In the other books, it's clear that Yash is "with" someone, so I didn't exactly understand how he was going to be the focus of a romance book I love this world with the Rajes that Sonali Dev has created。 Jane Austen may have inspired her writing, but these books are so unique in and of themselves and I thoroughly enjoyed all three novels。 This is a delightful way to wrap-up the series, with all the characters from previous series showing up and some point or another, plus a few extras for spice。 In the other books, it's clear that Yash is "with" someone, so I didn't exactly understand how he was going to be the focus of a romance book without really ruining his credibility with the readers and his fictional voters, but Dev did a great job writing a believable, realistic novel about California politics and running for office in the modern age。 Plus, the romantic scenes were emotion-tugging so hard, and then quite hot in some parts。 I have a ton of books on my TBR and I'm really trying to make an effort to read that list down, but when I want a comfort read (or three), you can be sure that this series will be at the top of my list of rereads。 。。。more

Alan

I really do like this series and especially Dev's writing。 This installment was a little weaker than the first two books in the series, but still good。 I like how she is inspired by the Austen stories, but these books are not straight-up retellings。 You see the elements of the Sense and Sensibility with the Dashwood sisters and their mother, the gender-swapped Willoughby and Colonel Brandon characters, and of course, Edward。 It is like finding little Easter eggs in the story as you read along。 A I really do like this series and especially Dev's writing。 This installment was a little weaker than the first two books in the series, but still good。 I like how she is inspired by the Austen stories, but these books are not straight-up retellings。 You see the elements of the Sense and Sensibility with the Dashwood sisters and their mother, the gender-swapped Willoughby and Colonel Brandon characters, and of course, Edward。 It is like finding little Easter eggs in the story as you read along。 And, of course, because the series involves a family, you still get to see what is happening with the leads from the previous stories and you can speculate about what is coming next, Emma? 。。。more

Erin

I loved this book。 I read Sense and Sensibility this year too and I thoroughly enjoyed finding the comparisons。 Sonali Dev has a real gift of making the classics contemporary。 I look forward to the what other classic retellings she will do!Thanks for NetGalley and WIlliam Morrow for this ARC in exchange for an honest review。

David Makinster

I have read all Sonali Dev's novels。 Each one is a gem, with unforgettable characters, superb storytelling, and a delightful grace with language。 Miraculously, each new novel surpasses the prior novel, so simply saying "Sonali Dev's most recent" is high praise。 Drawing inspiration from the novels of Jane Austin, Dev is endlessly original, deftly blending drama, romance, humor, suspense。 As if that were not enough, her ability to evoke the aromas and flavors of Indian food is swoon-worthy。 With t I have read all Sonali Dev's novels。 Each one is a gem, with unforgettable characters, superb storytelling, and a delightful grace with language。 Miraculously, each new novel surpasses the prior novel, so simply saying "Sonali Dev's most recent" is high praise。 Drawing inspiration from the novels of Jane Austin, Dev is endlessly original, deftly blending drama, romance, humor, suspense。 As if that were not enough, her ability to evoke the aromas and flavors of Indian food is swoon-worthy。 With this most recent novel, Dev also weaves in astute and timely perceptions of political themes, without ever becoming didactic or preachy。 This novel is so vivid and vital, I have even dreamed about the story! Enjoy this book, then read her previous novels! I look forward to each new Sonali Dev novel the same way some people look forward to the Superbowl。 。。。more

Carleigh

I did generally like this one, though not as much as the others。 I guess it was just too drama heavy for me, that's all focused on the things going on around the MCs and not much focus on the relationship itself。 I did love the characters, their deep and flesh out like always with Sonali Dev。 The family continues to enthrall me, and now I totally want the next one to be about China and Brandy!!! They stole every scene they were in imo It's a slow start, I don't think the characters even meet unt I did generally like this one, though not as much as the others。 I guess it was just too drama heavy for me, that's all focused on the things going on around the MCs and not much focus on the relationship itself。 I did love the characters, their deep and flesh out like always with Sonali Dev。 The family continues to enthrall me, and now I totally want the next one to be about China and Brandy!!! They stole every scene they were in imo It's a slow start, I don't think the characters even meet until like a 1/3 of the way through, and even then they don't interact much。 But once they realize their feelings the book actually starts。 I liked watching their struggle, the obstacles in their way of being together, how they made each other grow。 Not all these obstacles are equally as interesting (China enthralled me while the fake girlfriend just annoyed me), and sometimes the drama is overdone - but the feelings are always there。 FR though, I want a Brandy and China story! 。。。more

Shannon

I had listened to the first two books in this series while on a recent road trip and was dyeing to get to the third。 I was excited to finally get to know Yash more since the other two books had alluded to him so much。 Every time he popped up he was perfect and knew exactly what to say and I wanted to get to know the man behind that。 It was interesting to see process the many complicated things that have happened to him in his life。 India was also an amazing character, strong and sure but also wi I had listened to the first two books in this series while on a recent road trip and was dyeing to get to the third。 I was excited to finally get to know Yash more since the other two books had alluded to him so much。 Every time he popped up he was perfect and knew exactly what to say and I wanted to get to know the man behind that。 It was interesting to see process the many complicated things that have happened to him in his life。 India was also an amazing character, strong and sure but also with flaws。 It was great to see the two of them dance around each other。One of the things I love about this series is how Sonali Dev takes just enough of the plot from the inspiration text and weaves it with these amazing, fun, and vibrant characters。 I like how she tackles serious issues while also have witty dialogue and funny moments。 Everyone has to work through life and its nice to see the characters be happy while also admitting there is more to be done。 I also love seeing past characters pop up and seeing what they're up to。 I love these books so much and am already trying to figure out who will be the focus for the next books in the series!。 。。。more