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Of Curses and Kisses

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About The Book

“Fans of Menon’s frothy, contemporary rom-coms will be excited for this venture into new territory.” —Booklist
“[A] dreamy, sassy confection of a romance…Funny, extravagant, and satisfying.” —Shelf Awareness

From the New York Times bestselling author of When Dimple Met Rishi comes the first novel in a brand-new series set at an elite boarding school that’s a contemporary spin on Beauty and the Beast.

Will the princess save the beast?

For Princess Jaya Rao, nothing is more important than family. When the loathsome Emerson clan steps up their centuries-old feud to target Jaya’s little sister, nothing will keep Jaya from exacting her revenge. Then Jaya finds out she’ll be attending the same elite boarding school as Grey Emerson, and it feels like the opportunity of a lifetime. She knows what she must do: Make Grey fall in love with her and break his heart. But much to Jaya’s annoyance, Grey’s brooding demeanor and lupine blue eyes have drawn her in. There’s simply no way she and her sworn enemy could find their fairy-tale ending…right?

His Lordship Grey Emerson is a misanthrope. Thanks to an ancient curse by a Rao matriarch, Grey knows he’s doomed once he turns eighteen. Sequestered away in the mountains at St. Rosetta’s International Academy, he’s lived an isolated existence—until Jaya Rao bursts into his life, but he can’t shake the feeling that she’s hiding something. Something that might just have to do with the rose-shaped ruby pendant around her neck…

As the stars conspire to keep them apart, Jaya and Grey grapple with questions of love, loyalty, and whether it’s possible to write your own happy ending.

Excerpt

Chapter 1 CHAPTER 1
Just outside Aspen, Colorado, nestled between the sentinel mountains and an inkblot lake, lies St. Rosetta’s International Academy. Its sweeping spires, creeping ivy, and timeworn brick turrets often lead visitors to remark that it looks like a venerable castle from an old European city. The Academy would be Princess Jaya Rao’s home for the next year.

While she was there, Jaya had one mission: break an English nobleman’s heart.

But first she had to fall in love with him.

About The Author

Photograph (c) Dana Foster Photography

Sandhya Menon is the New York Times bestselling author of When Dimple Met Rishi, Of Curses and Kisses, and many other novels that also feature lots of kissing, girl power, and swoony boys. Her books have been included in several cool places, including Today, Teen Vogue, NPR, BuzzFeed, and Seventeen. A full-time dog servant and part-time writer, she makes her home in the foggy mountains of Colorado. Visit her online at SandhyaMenon.com.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (February 18, 2020)
  • Length: 384 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781534417540
  • Ages: 12 - 99

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Raves and Reviews

PRAISE FOR THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT SWEETIE

"Hilarious. . .focuses on the brilliant qualities that make us ourselves." Today.cocm

“Adorable, joyous.” BuzzFeed

“A love story that fans of When Dimple Met Rishi will adore.” Bustle

“Anytime your soul needs a hug, pick up a Sandhya Menon novel.” Book Riot

“Hits all the right notes.” Booklist, starred review

“Swoon-prone readers will wish the Patel boys came in six-packs.” BCCB

“An entertaining romance.” Kirkus Reviews

“There's something about the way Sandhya Menon writes love stories. I'm head-over-heels for this charming, funny, romantic, life-affirming book.” —Becky Albertalli, New York Times bestselling author of Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda and Leah on the Offbeat

"A thoroughly delightful romance featuring a spirited, confident, and lovable heroine and an unexpectedly dashing romantic hero. Add to your must-read shelves!” —Melissa de la Cruz, New York Times bestselling author of Alex & Eliza and Love & War

“There’s something irresistible about Sandhya Menon’s novels—the romances are sweet and winning, the humor is cheerful and sly, and the families are warm and complicated.” —Stephanie Perkins, bestselling author of Anna and the French Kiss and There’s Someone Inside Your House

PRAISE FOR FROM TWINKLE, WITH LOVE

A Junior Library Guild Selection
Bustle’s 27 Most Anticipated YA Contemporary Books Hitting Shelves In 2018
Book Riot’s 25 YA Books to Add to Your 2018 TBR Right Now
B&N Teen’s 8 Diverse Romances to Read Right Now

“Cinematic.” —Teen Vogue

“Funny and sweet.” —Buzzfeed

“Delightful, inspiring, and the hug your heart most certainly needs.” —Book Riot

“A sweet, smart gem.” —School Library Journal, starred review

“Pitch-perfect.” —Booklist, starred review

“Charming and sophisticated.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“Effervescent.” Publishers Weekly

“Highly recommended.” —VOYA

PRAISE FOR WHEN DIMPLE MET RISHI

An NPR Best Book of 2017
A Buzzfeed Best YA Book of 2017
A Kirkus Best Teen Book of 2017
A School Library Journal Best Young Adult Book of 2017
A Chicago Public Library Best Teen Book of 2017
A Bustle Best YA Novel of 2017
A PopSugar Best Young Adult Novel of 2017
A Paste Magazine Best Young Adult Novel of 2017
A Book Riot Best Book of 2017
A B&N Teen Blog Best YA Novel of 2017
A Summer 2017 Top Ten Indie Next Pick
A Junior Library Guild Selection


“Effervescent.” —Chicago Tribune

“Full of warm characters and sweet romance.” Entertainment Weekly

“Get ready to fall in love with Dimple Shah and Rishi Patel.” HelloGiggles

“Adorable.” —Buzzfeed

“Deliciously quirky, funny, and nerdy.” —Bustle

“Charming and heartwarming.” —PopSugar

“Utterly delightful.” —BookRiot

“Heartwarming, empathetic, and often hilariousa delightful read.”Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“A vibrant, joyous, funny love story.” —VOYA, starred review

“The strength of the story comes from its blending of Indian culture and values into a modern-day romance that scores of readers can enjoy.” School Library Journal

“Bright and funny.” Publishers Weekly

“Nuanced and thoughtful . . . will melt the hearts of readers.” Booklist

Awards and Honors

  • Kansas NEA Reading Circle List High School Title
  • TAYSHAS Reading List (TX)
  • Just One More Page Recommendation List

Resources and Downloads

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More books from this author: Sandhya Menon

More books in this series: Rosetta Academy