The Kismat Connection by Ananya Devarajan centers around Arjun and Madhuri. The story starts with an agreement to an experimental relationship that is doomed to fail because of Arjun’s very real love for Madhuri. As the story progresses both characters find themselves wondering if this has a future but Madhuri is determined to go against her predicted future and show her own free will by ending things. I really enjoyed the character growth throughout the book as well as the cultural aspects. I always appreciate the new perspective I gain from reading about a culture that is different from my own. I thought this book showed the pressure teenagers are under and also how scary and unknown future is. The fake dating trope is one of my favorites and this was a unique way of incorporating it into a YA novel. This is also a debut novel and I thought it was very well written and compelling!