Sunshine and Spice By Aurora Palit

In A Perfect Pretend, Naomi Kelly is determined to make her mark in the world of brand consulting. Her latest challenge is a crucial contract to rebrand the struggling Mukherjee family bazaar. However, as the daughter of a free-spirited Bengali mother, Naomi’s lack of cultural connection is a sticking point for Gia Mukherjee, who disapproves of Naomi’s approach.

Dev Mukherjee, Gia’s son, faces his own dilemma: his mother’s relentless pressure to find a spouse. Desperate to avoid a loveless arranged marriage, Dev is willing to go to great lengths to sidestep his mother’s matchmaking schemes. When a potential match mistakenly assumes that Naomi is Dev’s girlfriend, a plan is hatched. Naomi will pose as Dev’s girlfriend to derail his mother’s matchmaking efforts, and in return, Dev will help Naomi learn about Bengali culture, which will aid her in her professional endeavors.

As Naomi and Dev navigate their fake relationship through awkward dance lessons at Garba, couples cooking classes, and joint efforts on the rebrand, their initial pretense begins to blur with genuine affection. The more time they spend together, the more they discover that their feelings are evolving from a mere charade to something deeply real.

The Perfect Pretend is a heartwarming tale about identity, cultural heritage, and the unexpected ways love can blossom. Naomi and Dev must confront their own fears and expectations to determine how much they’re willing to risk for a chance at true love. 📚❤️