Book Review: Serena Singh Flips the Script | Sonya Lalli

Sonya Lalli’s Serena Singh Flips the Script is an empowering and heartwarming book about a single woman who chooses her career over a husband and kids, and an unlikely friendship that helps her one the path to find her happiness.

About the Book | Serena Singh Flips the Script

Serena Singh is tired of everyone telling her what she should want–and she is ready to prove to her mother, her sister, and the aunties in her community that a woman does not need domestic bliss to have a happy life.

Things are going according to plan for Serena. She’s smart, confident, and just got a kick-ass new job at a top advertising firm in Washington, D.C. Even before her younger sister gets married in a big, traditional wedding, Serena knows her own dreams don’t include marriage or children. But with her mother constantly encouraging her to be more like her sister, Serena can’t understand why her parents refuse to recognize that she and her sister want completely different experiences out of life.

A new friendship with her co-worker, Ainsley, comes as a breath of fresh air, challenging Serena’s long-held beliefs about the importance of self-reliance. She’s been so focused on career success that she’s let all of her hobbies and close friendships fall by the wayside. As Serena reconnects with her family and friends–including her ex-boyfriend–she learns letting people in can make her happier than standing all on her own. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

Review | Serena Singh Flips the Script

This is truly a story of friendship, family, and finding yourself when you’ve lost your way. The book centers on Serena Singh, who is an intelligent and career-focused Indian woman in her early 30s. Serena seems polished and as though she has it all. She’s independent, determined, and wants to be happy. Her sister has always been her best friend, but as her sister gets married and settles into her life, Serena feels lonely.

I liked that Serena decided to take charge of her life and find friendships that fulfill her. It was clear that Serena often feels pressure to be a good Indian girl, and she flips the script in more ways than one. She’s a character that readers can’t help but love and admire. She lives her life in a way that makes her happy, even if she is often searching for what happiness means to her.

When Serena befriends a woman at her office named Ainsley, she’s surprised by their closeness. Friendships can transform so many aspects of our lives. When they are good, friendships not only offer love and support, but they can open us up to new possibilities. Serena and Ainsley’s friendship is a catalyst for Serena, pushing her to reconnect with her parents whom she hasn’t always had the best relationship with. The theme of family is strong throughout the book. Serena and her mother seem so different, but their relationship was one of the sweetest parts of the story.

This is not a story about romance. Friendship and family are front and center and in my opinion the most important takeaways of this book. Serena is not a character who is seeking a romantic relationship, or at least doesn’t find it necessary for her to find happiness. But of course, those who root for love will find that there is a romantic relationship in the book. I personally responded the most to Serena herself. She is an imperfect character, but her flaws made her more relatable and someone I was cheering for.

A light and complex story that had a wonderful mix of funny, heartwarming, and touching moments. This book will have you wanting to connect with your own friends and family, and to become the best version of yourself, whoever that is!

About the Author | Sonya Lalli

Sonya Lalli is a romance and women’s fiction author of Punjabi and Bengali heritage. Her debut novel The Matchmaker’s List was a Target Diverse Book Club Pick, and Sonya’s books have been featured in Entertainment Weekly, USA Today, NPR, The Washington Post, Glamour and more. She also writes psychological thrillers as S.C. Lalli. Sonya lives in Vancouver with her husband and their mini goldendoodle, Joey. 

Did you know Sonya writes psychological thrillers as S.C. Lalli? Check out sclalli.com to find out more about her bestselling debut, Are You Sara?