Rani Deshpande Takes the Wheel

Praise for Rani Deshpande Takes the Wheel:

* The Nerd Daily, “72 Anticipated YA Books Releases Of 2026”* Pop! Goes the Reader, “50 Most-Anticipated Young Adult Books: April-June 2026”

“The story skillfully balances humor with deeper emotional resonance, particularly in the scenes that depict the leads’ tightknit family dynamics. Cultural texture is the book’s strongest asset, including aunties, intergenerational relationships, and touches of Hindi and Marathi… A charming contemporary romance anchored by genuine cultural specificity.” - Kirkus

“Readers learn why Rani became a college transfer student, a unique perspective in YA novels, and Avachat successfully conveys the pressure Rani feels to have these ‘perfect’ collegiate summer experiences…A recommended novel that will resonate particularly with eldest daughters of immigrant families.” - School Library Journal

“Avachat captures the closeness of this Pacific Northwest Desi community with routine get-togethers and other milestone celebrations, complete with mouthwatering dishes and bickering aunties. While the romance is a selling point, Rani’s maturity over the course of the novel is notable. Avachat’s sophomore work is a charming slice-of-life story great for similarly maturing teens.” - Booklist

“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

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.