Very enjoyable, thought provoking ( )

Girl Most Likely To is a fun and thought-provoking novel that has a bit more substance than your average chick lit book. It is a book about self-discovery, rather than about finding true love. While men are certainly an element of the novel (would it be chick lit if they weren't?), the main storyline is Vina's quest to discover what she wants from life, and why she wants these things.

Vina herself was a very interesting character. I thought that Vina's Indian heritage incorporated something different into the novel - cultural tensions. These are an every day part of life for many people, yet they are woefully underutilized in novels. (Another excellent example of cultural issues in a solid chick lit novel is Off the Menu [review] by Christine Son). Being an Indian raised in the United States, I could especially sympathize with Vina's struggles with her parents, as well as her desire to please them. However, I believe that whatever background you come from, virtually any reader can see a bit of themselves in the challenges that Vina faces. It has a universal appeal.

The book itself is a bit stilted and does not seem to flow as smoothly as it could. There were times I found myself confused about the sequence of events. That being said, this really is a solid novel that is easy to read and thoroughly entertaining. I found it difficult to put down and never got bored with the story.

I'd recommend Girl Most Likely To to any fan of chick lit, especially if you have been looking for a storyline that delves a little bit deeper than traditional fare. I'd also recommend it to anyone who enjoys storylines that deal with conflicting cultures. I'm looking forward to reading Ms. Sharma's next novel, All Eyes on Her, which I have waiting for me on my shelves.

From S. Krishna's Books ( )

Vina is a successful twenty-something working in New York finance when everything in her life seems to go wrong at once. Between struggles with her parents, claustrophobia, and an SEC investigation, it's more than Vina can handle. She jets off to Fiji to find herself, then returns to find love and happiness.

This book is a little trite. There is the gay friend, romantic misunderstandings, and snarkiness that is so common in this type of fiction. What sets this book apart is Vina's struggle between cultures, though even that doesn't make the book particularly memorable. A fair read, but nothing that will linger in your mind. ( )