A 2017 study from the Romance Writers of America found that 18% of romance readers are men, and 1/3 of erotic audiobook downloaders are also guys. The majority of romance readers are still women, yes, but with more publishers focusing on LGBTQ+ experiences and expanding past the traditional heteronormative girl-meets-guy plot, publishers predict male readership will only increase. With that in mind, Men’s Health recently put together a list of recommended romance novels, including Jasmine and Jake Rock the Boat.

Sonya Lalli, who wrote the delightful A Holly Jolly Diwali, has yet again created a vivid cast of characters that you’ll be thinking about for a while. Her latest is an enemies-to-lovers romance titled Jasmine and Jake Rock the Boat-an utterly charming romp filled with lively quips and plenty of humor.

Men’s Health

To check out the full list, please click here.

Jasmine and Jake are showing up on Anticipated Reads list all over the internet, including the following two:

Why I want to read it: So far, I’ve only read A Holly Jolly Diwali by Sonya Lalli, but I’m excited to read more of her backlist and to read this new one! I love her style, and this premise sounds great!

Unabridged

• Unabridged’s New Book Releases for April 2023.
• BookRiot’s New Releases for April 18, 2023.
• Stir Bedside Table: Hilary Atleo

There is lots of great intergenerational humour and a satisfying enemies-to-lovers plot.

Stir Bedside Table with Hilary Atleo

Jasmine and Jake Rock the Boat was recently reviewed by Red Carpet Crash:

A really fun rom-com, that hits all the right notes. With all the aunties aboard, some LOL moments, and two people you root for to be together.

Red Carpet Crash

To read the full review, please click here.

In this round up, The Nerd Daily rounds up some highly anticipated books releasing between the months of January and June from authors such as Leigh Bardugo, Holly Black, Jesse Q. Sutanto, Harlan Coben, and Sonya Lalli, plus some dazzling debuts.

An impulsive decision to join an Alaskan cruise getaway brings the chance for an onboard romance in this new enemies-to-lovers romance from the author of A Holly Jolly Diwali.

The Nerd Daily

To look at the full list, click here.

Seven novels that captivate with winning formulas, from fake dating to enemies turned lovers, including Jasmine and Jake Rock the Boat.

Jasmine Randhawa finds herself suddenly single and third-wheeling on her parents’ cruise vacation to Alaska. Just when things couldn’t get any worse, she realizes that not only is she trapped on a seniors cruise but the only person remotely close to her age is an arrogant acquaintance, Jake Dhillon. This is Vancouver-based Sonya Lalli’s fifth contemporary-romance offering.

Elle Canada

To see the full list, click here.

Every year, CBC Books enlists the help of established writers and editors from across Canada to read the thousands of entries submitted to our prizes. This year, Sonya Lalli was honoured to take part as one of the readers.

Readers compile the longlist, which is then given to a jury who chooses a shortlist.

You can meet the readers for the 2023 CBC Short Story Prize by clicking here.

You can see the books chosen for the 2023 CBC Short Story longlist here.

The shortlist will be announced on April 12 and then the winner will be revealed on April 18.

Kirkus Reviews recently reviewed Jasmine and Jake Rock the Boat and here’s a snippet from that review:

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.

A modern romance with the perfect mix of emotional growth and meddling aunties.

Kirkus Reviews

For Catapult’s Romance Week series, I wrote about a writing exercise on how to strengthen the romantic subplots in your work.

Subplots are a time-tested way to elevate your romance novel. These secondary storylines, which will likely involve one or both of your main characters, create obstacles they must fight to overcome, or help with your story’s pacing by adding comedy, tension, or reprieves. They can force your protagonists to make difficult choices and confront their pasts, and even add nuance by advancing your story’s overall themes or tropes.

To read the full article, visit Catapult’s website here.

Whether it’s Valentine’s Day or not, if you’re in the mood for love and romance, this list of South Asian books, including Grown-Up Pose and A Holly Jolly Diwali, make perfect gifts for your special someone.

Sonya Lalli’s novel is more than just romantic fiction. It looks at the issues that can exist within marriage, family dynamics, gender roles and parental relationships. … It’s a coming-of-age story that emphasises that life is a series of ups and downs, no matter what stage you’re at in life.

DESIblitz

To read the full review and see the rest of the books on the list, click here.

Great review of Jasmine and Jake Rock the Boat in the latest LIbrary Journal:

An enemies-to-lovers romance full of humor and heart. Readers will fall in love with Jasmine, Jake, and the cast of aunties, uncles, and friends who help them along the way in Lalli’s latest

Library Journal

You can read the full review on Library Journal’s site.