Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Incense and Sensibility by Sonali Dev Narrator: Soneela Nankani
Series: Rajes #3
Published by HarperAudio on July 6, 2021
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Length: 12 hours, 57 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble, Apple
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: If you control your feelings you can control the world around you.
But when a bigot with a gun attempts to assassinate him, critically injuring 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 her grandmother and mother immersed in the practice of yoga long before it became trendy, India has helped San Francisco’s stressed-out overachievers for a decade without so much as altering her breath. But this man with his simmering intensity and absolute faith in his political beliefs is like no other client she’s ever had. Yash has spent a lifetime repressing everything to succeed.
India knows that for Yash to heal, he must face the feelings he’s buried, including the ones they once shared—a too brief, too bright passion that if rekindled threatens the life he’s crafted for himself. Sorting through the lies to get to the truth 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.
I read the first book, Pride, Prejudice and Other Flavors for the diversity Read-athon for COYER. I was also thrilled because I met the author at three events and she was wonderful. I looked forward to reading her works. I really enjoyed the first book and went on with the next book Recipe for Persuasion.  Now I was totally in love with these characters and when I realized Incense and Sensibility was being released in July I was all in.
All the stories in the Rajes series, are smart and emotional. I can’t speak to the Jane Austen aspects as it has been too long since I read those books. There is a twining of personal growth and relationship growths, along with the daily aspects of life and careers. I was in angst for quite awhile as things were convoluted.
Yash is amazing. I love his caring and compassion even to the detriment of himself. He is easy to love as he is honest and devoted to making others’ lives better.
” That was me being a public servant, instead of a politician.”
India is also skilled in her yoga and healing practices. She is so grounded and honest. She helps others, like Yash, because she can, without thought to remuneration. Anyone would feel safe with her care. She takes on all the weight of her family’s problems and works to their solution. She also says goodbye to Yash when it seems as though a relationship with her will ruin his campaign.
I wanted them to be happy, to be honest and continue their work with helping others, using their gifts. I felt so much. These two deserved happiness but their focus was giving selflessly to others. I also enjoyed all the other supporting character stories. Their personalities shone and added to the expectations, and hopes and dreams in this world.
Narration:
One of the reasons I enjoy audiobooks is, I don’t have to ponder over how to pronounce things. Whether the narrator pronunciations and accents are accurate I don’t have to decide. So it’s a gift if I don’t know how they should be. I was pleased to have the same narrator throughout with her excellent performance of the various male and female voices. I was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip:
About Soneela Nankani
Soneela Nankani is a classically trained Brooklyn-based actress. She has performed at many prestigious theaters and is an ensemble member of the award-winning Sojourn Theatre. In addition, Soneela has worked in film and television and has narrated over 60 audiobooks. Soneela holds an MFA in Acting from Columbia University.
Award-winning Audiobook Narrator with 250+ titles / Consultant in Arts + Social Justice / Ensemble Member. In June 2021, Soneela Nankani was inducted as a Golden Voice, AudioFile’s lifetime achievement honor for audiobook narrators.
About Sonali Dev
Sonali Dev’s first literary work was a play about mistaken identities performed at her neighborhood Diwali extravaganza in Mumbai. She was eight years old. Despite this early success, Sonali spent the next few decades getting degrees in architecture and written communication, migrating across the globe, and starting a family while writing for magazines and websites. With the advent of her first gray hair her mad love for telling stories returned full force, and she now combines it with her insights into Indian culture to conjure up stories that make a mad tangle with her life as supermom, domestic goddess, and world traveler.
Sonali lives in the Chicago suburbs with her very patient and often amused husband and two teens who demand both patience and humor, and the world’s most perfect dog.
| Rating Breakdown | |
|---|---|
| Plot |
|
| Writing |
|
| Characters |
|
| Narration (Audio) |
|
| Overall: | |
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
Friend or follow me at Goodreads.
- 🎧 Lightning in Her Hands by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland @poet_raquelvgil‏ #MarcellaBlack @AceRocBooks@BerkleyPub@PRHAudio‏#LoveAudiobooks - October 10, 2024
- Gathering Mist by Margaret Mizushima @margmizu @crookedlanebks - October 8, 2024
- Sunday Series: Joe Pickett by CJ Box @cjboxauthor #DavidChandler @RecordedBooks#SundaySeries #LoveAudiobooks - October 6, 2024
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- C21-Summer
You describe these books well- smart and emotional. 🙂 This pair were my favorites of the series because I loved the way they gave to others and were mature about things.
Like I commented on Sophia’s review, I’ve got this audiobook on my phone and will be listening to it soon, so I skimmed to find your overall feelings… and this spoke volumes: “I felt so much.” That makes me so happy because that’s what I thought about the first two, especially last year’s release, which was one of my favorites for the year. Yea!
Another true thing is these two main characters are so mature, honest and compassionate.
I haven’t seen this series before but it sounds like a great story with two nice characters easy to root for. Fab review, Anne!
I really enjoyed all 3 books in this series, set in California, with characters who grow and learn. This last pair are the most mature and caompassionate.
I do love Jane Austin re-imaginings/re-tellings! I think I have the first book in this series (the P&P adaptation) but haven’t read it yet… I look forward to tackling this series though!
Well I LOVED these, all 3 in the series. I hope you get a chance to enjoy them.
I loved the first book in this series so much and after reading your review, I know I really need to hurry and get caught up!
I really loved all 3 books in this series. I’m wondering now if there will be one more for the other brother?
I haven’t read any of the books in this series yet, but I love the synopsis and your review for this one! Do you think they need to be read in order?
I would read them in order because of the world and character building . Plus the first one was a 5 heart read for me. I can also recommend audio; the narrator is wonderful.
Awesome, thanks for the tips!