JASMINE AND JAKE ROCK THE BOAT
Jasmine Randhawa has worked hard for her independence, knowing that her decisions have labeled her a troublesome daughter to her parents though she’s ticked the boxes of having a well-paying job and an attractive boyfriend. But finding herself suddenly single and overhearing her parents invite her sister, Niki, on an Alaskan cruise they’re taking along with other members of their South Asian community have finally put her over the edge. Alas, Niki can’t go, and, in a small act of defiance, Jasmine insists on taking her place. What she doesn’t know is that it’s a cruise for seniors, and the only other person her age is Jake Dhillon. For years, Jasmine has watched her community accord Jake celebrity status as the ideal South Asian son, while Jake knows of Jasmine’s reputation for trouble. They each must fight against the judgmental assumptions they’ve made, but Jasmine finds Jake too cocky for his own good, while Jake thinks Jasmine tries too hard to be a rebel. Then, when they both volunteer to host the ship’s amateur dance competition, they start to bond over adventurous excursions and their fraught relationships with cultural norms. The romance is slow and sweet as the leads test each other’s boundaries. A cruise to Alaska makes a charming setting, combining a lively cast of characters with beautiful, immersive descriptions of the environment, and the gorgeous backdrop further accentuates Jake and Jasmine’s developing attraction. As well as finding romance, Jasmine learns that there’s a middle ground between isolating herself from family conventions and fully embracing Punjabi traditions. She can have it all—and on her own terms.
