SUNSHINE AND SPICE

Soneela Nankani and Imran Sheikh narrate this take on fake dating and modern love. Even though she lacks a Bengali background, Naomi is hired to rebrand Gia's bazaar, a run-down Indian marketplace. At the same time, Gia engages a matchmaker to find a wife for her reluctant son, Dev. Soon, Naomi and Dev team up--Naomi pretends to be Dev's girlfriend, and Dev teaches Naomi about Bengali culture before the grand opening of his mother's bazaar-turned-café. The two develop a deep connection, but a long-term relationship seems impossible amid familial obstacles. Nankani convincingly conveys Naomi's yearning to belong, while Sheikh makes Dev's seriousness endearing. Both narrators are spot-on with their accents for the supporting characters, and the Bengali backdrop puts a fun spin on the overused fake-dating trope. C.A.P. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2024]