Is It Destiny?

Of Curses and Kisses (St Rosetta's Academy Book 1) 
​by Sandhya Menon

Looking for an updated version of a classic romantic fairy tale? 

Sandhya Menon has this covered with Of Curses and Kisses, the first volume in St Rosetta's Academy, her new YA romance series. Set in an exclusive boarding school nestled in Colorado’s gorgeous snow-capped mountains, a girl from India and boy from England meet. Is it destiny?

Princess Jaya Rao and her younger sister Isha are sent off to boarding school, hoping to escape a scandalous rumor that a rival family has circulated about Isha. Jaya hopes to protect the Rao reputation from further damage and exact revenge on the family that is responsible for publishing the vicious gossip. She finds the perfect opportunity. Lord Grey Emerson, a member of the dynasty that has delivered centuries of indignities to the Rao family, is a student at St. Rosetta’s. Her plan: she will make him fall in love with her and then break his heart.

Grey, a brooding loner, is facing his own personal crisis. He is destined to die when he turns eighteen due to an ancient curse pronounced by one of Jaya’s ancestors. The clock is ticking for Grey. Just when it seems that his life is ending, he has fallen in love.

Jaya is wrestling with the question of loyalty. Must she respect the wishes of her parents without question? What should she do to protect her family’s reputation? What will become of the Rao dynasty ? Does she need to ignore her own feelings?

This modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast includes a glittering ball, several misunderstandings, a despicable cad, one stunning ruby pendant, a bookstore named Bookingham Palace and a terrific snowball fight. It's a sparkling romance with an intriguing hint of magic.

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

​Pub date: February 18, 2020  Publisher:  Simon Pulse  ISBN:  978-1534417540