Beauty and the Besharam
Viking Books for Young Readers, 2022
Agent: Jessica Watterson
Seventeen-year-old, high-achieving Kavya Joshi has always been told she's a little too ambitious, a little too mouthy, and overall just a little too much. Her big, extended, overly involved family has one word to sum her up: besharam.
When her nemesis, Ian Jun, witnesses her very public breakup with her loser boyfriend on the last day of junior year, Kavya wants to lay low and spend the summer at her great escape--her part-time job at Poppy's Party Playhouse, dressing up as a princess for kids' birthday parties. But her plan is shot when she's cast as Ariel and learns that Ian will be her Prince Eric for the summer. [Cue the sarcastic banter.]
Exhausted by Kavya and Ian's years-long feud, their friends hatch a plan to end their rivalry by convincing them to participate in a series of challenges throughout the summer. Ian and Kavya are only too eager to finally declare a winner. But as the competition heats up, so too does the romantic tension, until it escalates from a simmer to a full-on burn.
Reviews:
“Warm, joyful, and funny! This delightful gender-flipped Beauty and the Besharam is the perfect, sweet rom-com to snuggle up with.” —Jenn Bennett, author of Alex, Approximately
"A story that feels simultaneously magical and true to life. The character-driven plot, led by a vibrant cast that showcases diversity in ethnicity, gender identity, and sexual orientation, places equal weight on the value of friendship, family relationships, and romance, with each element playing an important role in Kavya’s growth and changing self-understanding throughout the book. A joyful ode to being true to yourself and finding love where you least expect it." —Kirkus Reviews
“If you're a fan of rivals-to-lovers, look no further! Beauty and the Besharam is a novel bursting with swoony romance, humor and the importance of going for it, even when it's scary. Vale shows us that love is about not compromising who you are, or loving someone despite their ferocity and drive, but because of it. Lillie Vale put it perfectly — ‘Rivalry is good, but kisses are better.’” —Aiden Thomas, New York Times bestselling author of Cemetery Boys
"A clever, emotional book about being true to yourself no matter what. With a delightful rivalry you can’t help but ship, whimsical settings, and so much banter, Beauty and the Besharam is not to be missed." —Jennifer Dugan, author of Hot Dog Girl and Some Girls Do
"Beauty and the Besharam is for every girl looking for their happy ending. A perfect rivals-to-lovers romance that also gives a voice to outspoken Desi girls." —Adiba Jaigirdar, bestselling author of The Henna Wars
“Full of heart and enemies-to-lovers heat, Vale’s modern fairytale is a witty, welcome celebration of the girls who feel like too much.” —Emily Wibberley & Austin Siegemund-Broka, authors of What's Not to Love
"Hilarious, sharp, and sweep you off your feet romantic, Beauty and the Besharam is the kind of book that you will immediately want to reread. Prepare a spot on your forever favorite shelf." —Nina Moreno, author of Join the Club, Maggie Diaz
"Beauty and the Besharam is the modern fairytale we need right now. This big-hearted story is a joyful celebration of friendship, falling in love, and most importantly, of being true to yourself. Kavya is a princess (and a beast) worth cheering for." —Kara McDowell, author of One Way or Another and This Might Get Awkward
"Honest, heartfelt and hilarious, Beauty and the Besharam shows the wonder of love in all its forms and how important it is that we find people who love us exactly as we are." —Kristina Forest, author of Now That I've Found You