The Design of Us

Patel (Isha, Unscripted) makes computer coding sexy in this winning enemies-to-lovers romance. Washington State computer programmer Bhanu is looking forward to a quiet vacation in Hawaii, away from work stress and her office nemesis, Sunny. As it happens, Sunny is also in Hawaii for a friend’s wedding. When Bhanu stumbles upon Sunny and witnesses his toxic ex-girlfriend cruelly berating him, her sense of justice forces her to step in, pretending to be Sunny’s new girlfriend to get the woman to go away. To keep up the ruse, she’ll have to attend all of the wedding festivities at Sunny’s side. Patel builds some serious sexual tension as the duo’s barbed banter turns increasingly flirtatious. With well-meaning yet meddlesome relatives conspiring to push these two together, their fake relationship soon turns very real. The supporting cast of Indian aunties charms, and the saltiness between the protagonists loses none of its oomph when it turns into sweetness. Readers will cheer for these two to find their well-deserved happily ever after. (July)