PRAISE
“A gritty and hard-hitting portrait of love between a rich transgender boy and a poor girl groomed for sex work. Messy lives depicted in a beautifully simple prose that reminded me of my beloved Mahfouz.”
— Fred Aceves, author of THE CLOSEST I'VE COME
“Powerful, raw and completely unfiltered mature YA that deals with incredibly complex topics…I thank Patel for having the bravery to write this story and go where the majority of YA authors don’t (won’t?) go.”
— Kate Olson, The Loud Library Lady
“This is a book that will save lives... this story should be for everyone. Because perhaps in a moment where everyone else has forgotten - or others have knowingly done harm - in the moment of their greatest need, perhaps you’ll be the one who can place this book into those hands that need it the most. ”
— Ms. A. Rose's Reviews (Between Margins)
“Once again, Sonia Patel does not hold back from confronting the dirt and scars defining so many young people’s lives today. Her years of experience as a child and adolescent psychiatrist shine through the pages of this book as she deftly handles themes of isolation, desperation, and redemption.”
— Jupiter Brown, Building Diverse Bookshelves
“ Jaya and Rasa are compelling characters in their own right, but when they finally meet, it’s as electrifying as Romeo and Juliet’s first dance. Patel has struck a balance of sensuality and youthful tenderness in their courtship, clearly conveying the difference between healthy and abusive sexual encounters. With an open-ended but hopeful final scene, Jaya and Rasa will appeal to teen readers hungry for more diverse—but still romantic—realistic fiction.”
— BookPage
“...Patel has written a book so intense and messy that it may just reflect real life in a way that neither fairy-tale endings nor outright tragedies can do. ”
— Kirkus Review
“Sonia Patel’s newest book is an unforgettable and brave love story...Her powerful novel takes readers to lush Hawaii and introduces us to Jaya, a trans teen boy who falls for Rasa, the daughter of a prostitute. There’s no shortage of obstacles — from meddling parents to complicated family histories — standing in the way of their love, which is why you’ll be rooting for these two from page one. ”
— Brit+Co
“Patel’s captivating prose and memorable characters immerse readers in a tense situation.”
— Booklist Review
“This book is just fabulous because of its depth, its characters, and its ability to transition between the bubbling feelings of new love and the sadness of situations beyond our capability or control. Neither ‘good’ nor ‘bad’ detract from the other, instead showing the interaction they have within our lives. Jaya and Rasa: A Love Story is exactly that, a love story, but full of so much more and left with an ending that hands the reins over to us, the reader. It is a compelling read and one that I am still thinking about days later. That’s the type of book this is – one that will get under your skin.”
— Utopia State of Mind Book Reviews
“...Patel (Rani Patel in Full Effect) writes with fierce simplicity throughout, allowing the gritty beauty of her story to shine.”
— Publishers Weekly
“The setting, romance, and captivating characters will draw in teens looking for a story they haven’t read before.”
— School Library Journal
“I appreciate so much getting to know these two wounded characters from pre-adolescence...Nothing is sugar-coated, the reality is bleak and honest, but Patel gives us just a bright enough glimmer of hope to keep reading, to keep going.”
— Brandi Bailey, Book Riot