---
title: "Romance & YA Fiction Writing by a Published Desi Author - mytribe"
description: "Need a captivating story? Hire Swati, a published author specializing in Romance & YA Fiction Writing. She crafts heartfelt desi romance novels and queer YA stories full of slowburn and humor. Bring your book idea to life with a Penguin Random House author."
canonical: https://mytribe.in/swatihegdeauthor/romance-young-adult-ya-fiction-writing
last_updated: 2025-09-15
---

# Romance & Young Adult (YA) Fiction Writing in Bengaluru

By [Swati Hegde](https://mytribe.in/swatihegdeauthor) · I write slowburn desi and queer YA romance with strong heroines, cozy family drama, and closed-door stories set in India.

## Locations

Ships to India, United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia

### Ships / delivers to

- Ships to the United Kingdom (United Kingdom, United Kingdom)
- Ships across India (India, India)
- Ships to Australia (Australia, Australia)
- Ships to the United States (United States, United States)
- Ships to Canada (Canada, Canada)

## Pricing guide (estimates)

These are indicative prices based on provider's past work. Enquire now to find out final quote.

### Complete Submission Package Audit

Comprehensive critique of query letter, synopsis, and first 10 pages to ensure the submission hook is agent ready.

Typically ₹12-15K per package (estimate)

#### The Pitch Material
*   **Query Letter Review:** Line by line critique of the 1 page query letter focusing on the hook, book stats, and comparable titles.
*   **Synopsis Critique:** Review of the 1 to 2 page synopsis to ensure the narrative arc is clear and the ending is revealed.
*   **Tone Check:** Ensuring the voice of the letter matches the Romcom or YA genre standards.

#### The Writing Sample
*   **First Chapter Edit:** Detailed feedback on the first 10 pages or approximately 2,500 words.
*   **Line Edits:** Inline comments on Google Docs highlighting awkward phrasing, pacing issues, or flat dialogue.
*   **First 5 Pages Test:** Specific focus on the opening hook to ensure the reader is grounded immediately.

#### Editorial Report
*   **Feedback Letter:** A 1 to 2 page summary highlighting strengths and specific fix it instructions.
*   **Genre Alignment:** Verification that the manuscript fits the promised Romance or YA tropes.

### 1:1 Author Strategy & Mentorship Session

A 45 to 60 minute video consultation to unblock writer's block, discuss strategy, or decode the US and UK book markets.

Typically ₹13-17K per session (estimate)

#### Core Consultation
*   **Duration:** 45 to 60 minutes via Zoom video call.
*   **Focus Area:** Customizable agenda covering querying strategy, author mindset, plot unsticking, or the publishing journey.
*   **Prep Work:** Review of a pre call questionnaire where the user outlines their current struggles and goals.

#### Strategic Inputs
*   **Market Insight:** Insider advice on positioning Desi or diverse stories for the Western US and UK markets.
*   **Mindset Coaching:** Techniques to overcome imposter syndrome or writer's block delivered with empathetic encouragement.
*   **Action Plan:** Verbal mapping of next steps such as rewriting specific chapters or altering character motivations.

#### Post Session Value
*   **Recording:** Access to the audio or video recording of the session for future reference.
*   **Resource Recommendations:** Verbal suggestions for books, tools, or specific agent wishlists that align with the user's genre.

### Strategic Manuscript Critique (First 3 Chapters)

Deep dive developmental edit of the first 35 pages to diagnose structural issues, pacing problems, and character voice.

Typically ₹16-20K per 35 pages (estimate)

#### Structural Analysis
*   **Scope:** Detailed review of the first 35 pages or approximately 3 chapters.
*   **Pacing Check:** Identifying saggy moments where the reader might lose interest.
*   **Character Voice:** Ensuring the protagonist feels distinct and the Love Interest or Antagonist is introduced effectively.

#### Technical Inclusions
*   **Line Edits:** Extensive comments within the document focusing on showing vs telling, dialogue flow, and tightening prose.
*   **Trope Usage:** Analysis of genre expectations to ensure slowburns have tension and banter lands correctly.

#### Deliverables
*   **Editorial Report:** A comprehensive summary note analyzing the plot trajectory.
*   **Sensitivity Check:** Guidance on Desi or cultural nuances drawing from published experience in the West.
*   **Next Steps:** Concrete advice on how the issues in the first 3 chapters likely ripple through the manuscript.

## About Romance & Young Adult (YA) Fiction Writing

### What I Write: Romance & YA With All the Feels

I’m Swati, your resident chaotic desi author, here for anyone who loves slowburn romance and stories that feel like a cozy hug. If you’re into books that make you giggle, crave chai and desi food, and swoon over heroines with attitude, you’ll vibe with my work.

### My Style: Heart & Humor, Desi & Queer

- All about strong-willed girls and the softies who love them
- Slowburn romance is my thing - emotional pining, banter, zero rushing
- Low spice, big feels - expect closed-door romance, not steamy scenes
- Desi young adult books set in places like Mumbai and Bangalore, with Bollywood energy and plenty of family drama
- Sapphic YA fiction is close to my heart - queer joy, Indian sapphic stories, and relatable chaos

### A Glimpse at My Books

- **Match Me If You Can**: Friends-to-lovers, foodie romance, set in Mumbai. Expect meddling aunties, found family, and he-falls-first trope.
- **Can’t Help Faking in Love**: Fake dating at a Bangalore wedding, Short King hero, forced proximity, all the Bollywood vibes.
- **As Long as You Loathe Me** (coming soon): Sapphic rivals-to-lovers, bi x pan romance, tarot-reading gay dad, high school drama.

### Why I Write

I started for my 13-year-old self, who used to scribble stories for her friends. After 5 years, 6 drafts, and 400+ rejections, I finally got published. I keep going for anyone who wants books full of heart, laughter, and desi joy.

## Highlights

Browse through Swati Hegde's best work.

### [Featured](https://mytribe.in/swatihegdeauthor/romance-young-adult-ya-fiction-writing/featured)

- [Video: It's been a long journey, but I'm so glad I kept going. I now have four desi romance novels for you to enjoy. My books feature slow-burn romance, plenty of heart and humor, and characters that feel like friends.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/85070df2-99d9-40a2-b410-3099f1384852)
- ![Hi, I'm Swati. Just your friendly neighborhood chaotic bi disaster, writing desi romance and YA novels from Bangalore, India. I survive on matcha, cats, and cuddles, and I'm a proud member of Team Conrad.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/cdaf028a-0d21-4765-ba04-c1ea73d4eeb1)
- ![A quick look at my upcoming sapphic YA romance, *As Long as You Loathe Me*. If you're a fan of *Mean Girls* or *Never Have I Ever* and love the rivals-to-lovers trope, this one's for you. It's got everything from a bi x pan romance to a tarot-reading gay Indian dad.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4a878088-453f-4ca4-a978-f63ba1fe75bb)
- [Video: This is my baby, *Can’t Help Faking in Love*. It’s a fake dating romance set at a big fat Indian wedding, perfect for anyone who loves the "he falls first" trope and all the drama that comes with it.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/79081796-c769-4811-bcb9-a8183538262b)
- [Video: For all my fellow Conrad girlies, this one is for you. My debut novel, *Match Me If You Can*, is a desi friends-to-lovers romance about a guy who has been in love with his best friend his entire life.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/72357c29-289a-4a8f-8bc9-9d543a894790)
- [Video: My Amma's approval means everything. I'm so happy she loves the cover of my debut YA romance, *As Long as You Loathe Me*. Her support throughout my writing career has been my biggest motivation.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/94d06f84-3bb3-4ef8-9936-d11de2b106c8)
- ![I write romance novels, and I'm lucky enough to be living my own. This is me and my gamer boyfriend, who I've known since we were high school besties. So grateful we found our way back to each other.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8f576ae8-1a05-4de5-8937-d5f1ad77e9c7)
- [Video: My first novel was rejected by my dream publisher when I was 12. Now, at 29, I have a 5-book deal with that same publisher, Penguin Random House. I'm so glad I never gave up on that little girl's dream.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d5f9fc61-c3e9-4418-a044-f56b8b05fd44)

### [As Long as You Loathe Me: A Sapphic YA Romance](https://mytribe.in/swatihegdeauthor/romance-young-adult-ya-fiction-writing/as-long-as-you-loathe-me-a-sapphic-ya-romance)

- [Video: The cover reveal for my debut queer YA romance, *As Long As You Loathe Me*. It's pitched as *Mean Girls* meets *Never Have I Ever*, and I'm so excited for you to read it. The cover features Meera in bi flag colors and Lucy in pan flag colors.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8c5db93d-1644-4847-8c42-e8c4f3fd290a)
- ![An infographic detailing all the tropes and themes in *As Long as You Loathe Me*. Expect everything from friends-to-rivals-to-lovers and a coffee shop setting to anxiety representation and a coming out story.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7d1be537-61c0-4a70-b70b-84124f3a8f7c)
- [Video: Unboxing the advance reader copies (ARCs) of my third book, *As Long As You Loathe Me*. It's a queer rivals-to-lovers YA romance, and holding it in my hands feels surreal. The story follows Meera as she tries to get back at her ex-best friend Lucy, with plenty of *Mean Girls* and *Never Have I Ever* vibes.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8ff6b808-ecf7-4b0d-be29-f9181049b26b)
- ![A happy moment from August, unboxing the ARCs for *As Long as You Loathe Me*. Seeing my book in physical form for the first time is a feeling that never gets old.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/bbc2bed0-96ff-473e-b698-329a0a1eb257)
- ![A little out-of-context quote from *As Long as You Loathe Me* to give you a taste of the yearning. This is a sapphic rivals-to-lovers story full of angst and pining.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/157102bd-31fa-4c6d-91b4-ec6cb11791ff)
- [Video: If you're looking for your next Devi from *Never Have I Ever* fix, let me introduce you to Meera Rao-George from *As Long as You Loathe Me*. She's an Indian-American chaos monster and a bi disaster who is desperate to be popular.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/269cf482-cf99-41e9-b930-9c83b12a8be9)
- [Video: I wrote a sapphic version of Taylor Swift's "You Belong With Me" where the dorky girl falls for the cheerleader. My upcoming YA novel *As Long as You Loathe Me* is perfect for fans of *The Summer I Turned Pretty* who want more queer representation.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b1db6187-5d49-4ff8-8a86-5db6fec0110a)
- [Video: The basic plot of *As Long as You Loathe Me*: getting revenge on my ex-best friend for stealing my crush, but then accidentally falling in love with her. It's a classic rivals-to-lovers setup.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e94e10e6-e156-4c74-979b-8d4121c6d9e9)
- ![A look at the dedication page for *As Long as You Loathe Me*. It's for my dear friend Anahita, who loved these messy queer girls before anyone else did.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/fb727a65-eefe-4d62-9faa-7d597e618e90)
- ![The official synopsis for *As Long as You Loathe Me*. Meera Rao-George is done being the dorky senior crushing on her neighbor. Her plan? Date his girlfriend, Lucy, to break them up. But as she gets closer to Lucy, she realizes her own heart is at risk.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8b2cd9a1-7495-49f7-a025-b448866374bc)
- ![Announcing a special 25% off preorder sale at Barnes & Noble for *As Long as You Loathe Me*. It's a great chance to grab my sapphic YA romance inspired by *Mean Girls* and "You Belong With Me."](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/0922ad56-f29f-410f-a46f-5c724bef18c0)
- [Video: The butterfly effect is real. A queer YA romance I read in 2020 helped me realize I'm bi, which led me to write my own queer YA rom-com, *As Long as You Loathe Me*, now set to be published by Penguin Random House.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/211e73d9-5bac-439f-a057-d7983bf61ab9)
- [Video: The acknowledgements for my sapphic YA romance novel are basically for my therapists and all the gay people who inspired me. *As Long as You Loathe Me* has major *Mean Girls* and "You Belong With Me" vibes.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2eb6f758-ca18-4778-ba7b-6eabf8fddf27)
- [Video: I don't need much to be happy, just a sapphic rivals-to-lovers YA romance with vibes of *Mean Girls* and "You Belong With Me." So, I wrote one. *As Long as You Loathe Me* is coming soon.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f576f842-7b0b-4b71-b7dc-b400d00b1918)
- [Video: A little snippet of dialogue from *As Long as You Loathe Me* to capture the rivals-to-lovers tension. This book combines the energy of "You Belong With Me" with the sabotage of *Mean Girls*.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f162436e-5a5c-4fdb-a0d3-926843094a68)
- [Video: Revealing the beautiful cover of my YA romance novel, *As Long as You Loathe Me*. It's inspired by the "You Belong With Me" music video and tells the story of a teen trying to win back her crush from her ex-best friend.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/225491d4-a6de-48bc-a0ff-3d929e611747)
- [Video: Meet Meera Rao-George, the feisty and desperate main character of *As Long as You Loathe Me*. If you love Devi from *Never Have I Ever*, you'll love Meera's chaotic energy in this sapphic romance.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/51971e6c-40e9-42d2-8116-f14536579e74)
- [Video: I'll convince you to read my *Mean Girls* meets *Never Have I Ever* YA romance in 11 seconds. *As Long as You Loathe Me* is a sapphic rivals-to-lovers story with a messy Indian-American main character.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/485aa2a6-7816-468a-b45d-50238806c9ae)
- [Video: The summer I plotted to steal my crush from the cheerleader but ended up falling for her instead. That's the story of *As Long as You Loathe Me*, my upcoming sapphic YA romance.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/16e9386f-e1b5-4c63-ae76-5fd6e10e8741)
- [Video: Someone called me funny, and I told them it's because I watched Taylor Swift's "You Belong With Me" music video and wrote a queer version of it. That book is *As Long as You Loathe Me*.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/47b074ce-15b5-4da0-89d2-1968a127faa8)
- [Video: When the "You Belong With Me" music video inspires you to write a queer version of it, you get *As Long as You Loathe Me*, my sapphic YA rivals-to-lovers romance.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e5ed109e-1294-4143-bfc8-2e377acd3292)
- [Video: I can't stop talking about my queer *Mean Girls* meets *Never Have I Ever* YA romance. *As Long as You Loathe Me* features a messy Indian-American main character in a rivals-to-lovers sapphic story.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/cdeebd5a-dcdd-4ccc-bf1b-b112deb7e7e6)
- ![A summary of my upcoming queer YA romance, *As Long as You Loathe Me*. It features a friends-to-rivals-to-lovers plot, bi x pan romance, and a coming out story, all with *Mean Girls* and *Never Have I Ever* energy.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/3f14ec28-fd0d-419d-9deb-eaa3e798d1c1)
- [Video: How many aura points did I lose when I made a revenge plan to break up the cheerleader and my crush, only to fall for the cheerleader instead? Find out in my upcoming book, *As Long as You Loathe Me*.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b390e6d8-5b04-4f2b-ac34-aec045291e25)
- ![The official cover for my debut queer YA romance, *As Long as You Loathe Me*. It's pitched as *Mean Girls* meets *Never Have I Ever* and comes out on March 31, 2026.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4f599c13-c490-45a3-9d72-85f26303ee4f)
- ![A mood board for my upcoming sapphic YA romance, *As Long as You Loathe Me*. It captures the vibe of the story: bring down the cheerleader, just don't fall in love with her.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/58a66045-9eb4-4558-9c83-9c50c27bf0fe)
- ![Announcing my third adult romance novel, *Love Beyond Reasonable Doubt*. It's a second-chance workplace romance about two lawyers who have a vacation fling and meet again a year later in the same office.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/186bf961-d8b3-4b92-b6e9-5a10940ab364)

### [Can't Help Faking in Love: A Fake Dating Desi Romance](https://mytribe.in/swatihegdeauthor/romance-young-adult-ya-fiction-writing/can-t-help-faking-in-love-a-fake-dating-desi-romance)

- ![She's here. My second romance novel, *Can't Help Faking in Love*, is out now in the US and Canada. This photo was taken on release day, and I'm so happy to finally share this story with you.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/dce0940c-fb08-455c-a438-5be9ba0afabd)
- [Video: Unboxing the final copies of my second romance novel, *Can't Help Faking in Love*. I started writing this book in 2019 after a bad date, and now it's a real, floppy book published by Penguin Random House.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/fd8c1fa5-727f-4f1a-851e-7f29cd4e2d61)
- ![A quick guide to the tropes in *Can't Help Faking in Love*. It's a fake dating romance with an all-BIPOC cast, forced proximity, the only one bed trope, a Short King hero, and a grand desi wedding setting in Bangalore.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2d2ecce9-2c2c-49af-8fa0-8040ec5e10ee)
- ![A quote from *Can't Help Faking in Love* that shows just how much the hero, Veer, adores the heroine, Harsha. He sees her passion, kindness, and bravery, and is completely in awe of her.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/00469a99-01e4-46d4-93de-f0cf246e657e)
- [Video: That feeling when all the tropes in your current read are hitting just right. *Can't Help Faking in Love* is packed with slow-burn romance, fake dating, he falls first, and the only one bed trope, all set in India.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9012e22d-41aa-4ef0-9143-591436b22d8c)
- [Video: My standards for men are pretty high, thanks to romance novels. In *Can't Help Faking in Love*, the hero Veer tells the heroine Harsha how beautiful, passionate, kind, and brave she is. That's top-tier.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/60b18d69-ab14-41c6-8a4a-8da7cc820311)
- ![Taking my book for a swim. Here I am with an advance copy of *Can't Help Faking in Love* by the pool, trying not to drop it in the water.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/106566c6-a9e9-40b3-9157-43245be1bb50)
- [Video: The ideal coffee shop date: he reads your book and you get to watch his real-time reactions. Here's my boyfriend reading *Can't Help Faking in Love*.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6f877d67-6ae7-475a-8c52-1e784d76f53f)
- [Video: Meet the main characters of *Can't Help Faking in Love*. She's a rich girl with a trust fund who needs a fake boyfriend ASAP. He's a broke barista who needs money. What could go wrong?](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/83ec38bc-52b3-4d9a-96f6-9550a6006af4)
- [Video: Never judge a book by its cover, unless it's this one. *Can't Help Faking in Love* is a desi slow-burn romance with *Crazy Rich Asians* vibes.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/565bd3cd-8211-4b6b-a8be-ac779934aed4)
- [Video: 23 chapters in and they still haven't kissed. If you love a good slow burn, *Can't Help Faking in Love* will definitely test your patience in the best way.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a1ebb496-e9b4-41c6-ad7c-26be726a443f)
- [Video: Me after moving away from my parents: "Let's be financially responsible!" Also me: hires a fake boyfriend to get my parents off my back. This is basically the plot of *Can't Help Faking in Love*.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/de4078a8-f379-4aec-b823-a2ff5af46cf3)
- ![Announcing a special ebook sale for *Can't Help Faking in Love*. For a limited time, you can get the US ebook for just $1.99 on all e-retailers.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b1db9c3d-b49f-48c2-a14b-f521b461cc16)
- [Video: Where can I find my own Veer? This quote from *Can't Help Faking in Love* sets the bar high. It's a fake dating romance that's high on slow burn and low on spice.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/13babc6a-6182-462b-bde9-123445dd3e10)
- [Video: Just waiting for the algorithm to bring me all the romance readers who love "he falls first but she falls harder." If that's you, check out my books *Can't Help Faking in Love* and *Match Me If You Can*.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/13c5be8a-23a0-479f-8160-4be30203a712)
- ![*Can't Help Faking in Love* (Taylor's Version). A collection of Taylor Swift songs that perfectly capture the vibes of my desi fake dating romance.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4e3eab0b-4d28-4659-9d74-283e15f55609)
- ![A beautiful shot of the *Can't Help Faking in Love* cover against a sunset. This book is about a woman with Bollywood roots who hires a barista as her fake boyfriend for a wedding.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/1732f836-e79d-445b-856e-d8c6f7e6fc68)
- ![A stack of my second novel, *Can't Help Faking in Love*. Seeing so many copies together is always a thrill.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6ae9af99-e6d0-47e7-a1b7-b8ebb248446a)
- ![So happy to be holding my second romance novel, *Can't Help Faking in Love*. It's a story with *To All the Boys I've Loved Before* energy, but with a desi twist.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/582226cf-5634-419f-af4c-82b79fbae02f)
- ![Reading my own book, *Can't Help Faking in Love*, in the golden hour light. This book was a labor of love, and I'm so proud of how it turned out.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b343d9c0-54bf-45cc-b351-400cfdbfdc7d)
- ![Another shot of me reading *Can't Help Faking in Love*. This book is set in my hometown of Bangalore and is full of local flavor.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7964c9b2-8368-45a9-be63-017f7117787e)
- [Video: How it feels to hire the hot barista as your fake boyfriend and then slowly start falling in love with him. This is the journey of Harsha, the main character in *Can't Help Faking in Love*.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/abd9cddb-6c4e-496c-8bba-f210f169d0e8)
- [Video: Thanks, I had to hire the hot barista as my fake boyfriend to get my parents off my back, but now I'm actually falling for him. The plot of my second romance novel, *Can't Help Faking in Love*.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4b638524-7ea3-423c-ac4a-6c418ec8d310)
- [Video: I wasn't sad, I just needed a green flag book boyfriend written by a woman. You can find one in *Can't Help Faking in Love*.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8df58ef9-b2c5-4a46-bad9-760297d0423e)
- [Video: You can judge this book by its cover. *Can't Help Faking in Love* is a desi fake dating romance that's as fun and vibrant as its cover suggests.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/77f7c667-bc12-4b1b-8506-e3adef12eb12)
- [Video: She needs a fake boyfriend. He needs the money. What could go wrong? Find out in *Can't Help Faking in Love*, my desi romance coming out February 11, 2025.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/cd5cf737-0c14-4098-84d4-101ea61b246a)
- ![I'm thrilled to share the review from Library Journal for *Can't Help Faking in Love*. They called it a "thoroughly enjoyable closed-door, fake-dating romance" with a "vibrant Bangalore setting."](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ab297993-fd4c-4281-9928-9def75d60d05)
- ![A quote from *Can't Help Faking in Love* where the hero, Veer, realizes the difference between sex and making love. This book is all about emotional connection.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/23af9302-18a7-41c1-9b12-b2849604236b)
- !["I'm just so attracted to him. And it doesn't hurt that our banter is fantastic." A quote from the heroine, Harsha, in *Can't Help Faking in Love*.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/04cebca5-c5f1-4f70-bb9f-2f7b763528d5)
- !["What if their relationship went from fiction to fact? What if they just...kissed?" The internal monologue of every fake dating character, featured here in *Can't Help Faking in Love*.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c263e0ef-50a6-43bc-aa93-8a6b4955c3ed)
- !["Here was a man who knew more about her than her parents... Was this love?" A moment of realization for Harsha in *Can't Help Faking in Love*.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6f5d0aff-2941-484e-82b6-39a9d346ac5c)
- !["You're beautiful, Harsha, but that's not all you are. You're passionate, you're kind, you're brave." A swoon-worthy quote from Veer in *Can't Help Faking in Love*.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4cb2d24a-7389-461e-9866-68a19b4b4dd3)
- ![Convincing you to read my desi fake dating book using my favorite quotes from it. *Can't Help Faking in Love* is full of heart and banter.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/df22c00e-674e-4f2f-847a-67152f420591)
- [Video: She needs a fake boyfriend. He needs the money. What could go wrong? Preorder *Can't Help Faking in Love* to find out.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4d42e3f3-a69a-4fb5-b588-52fbf85be78a)
- ![Reading my book, *Can't Help Faking in Love*, by the pool. It's the perfect fun and flirty desi romance for a vacation read.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/811d74bb-e783-4511-86bf-10bc3febef41)
- ![Another shot of me enjoying *Can't Help Faking in Love* in the pool. This book is set in Bangalore and captures the city's vibrant energy.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c555381d-4ac9-4234-8f27-e8a4ce34c91d)
- ![A poolside reading session with my second novel. *Can't Help Faking in Love* is a story about finding love in the most unexpected way.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/bba78cfd-884d-4911-b79b-eb5ac2ae159e)
- [Video: I'm just a chill girl who hired the cute barista as my fake boyfriend for my snobby cousin's wedding and then actually fell in love with him. The plot of *Can't Help Faking in Love*.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/06848f90-bbe7-4b25-a1da-3704a0679dc2)
- ![My upcoming desi fake dating romance, *Can't Help Faking in Love*, received a solid review from Publishers Weekly. They highlighted the Bangalore setting and its appeal to romance fans.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4ecb8c6e-6237-4c94-b2b9-748635713ae6)
- ![A photo from my October photo dump, reading an ARC of *Can't Help Faking in Love*. It was such a good month, full of exciting career news.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/58c058a1-b255-4224-b73d-50f0dae8bed2)
- [Video: Showing my second romance novel to my cat, who literally does not care. But I hope you do. *Can't Help Faking in Love* is a desi fake dating romance available for preorder.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/371e33f8-724c-417b-8718-b5628438154a)
- ![Just two pretty girls with a pretty book. My cat might look like she's screaming at my book, *Can't Help Faking in Love*, but I promise she's a fan.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c8e7c972-4120-4e6f-90ec-a49466f485d4)
- ![My cat giving my second novel, *Can't Help Faking in Love*, a curious sniff. She's my number one supporter (when she's not sleeping).](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/5c3c18db-401e-4d66-a0b0-afdf85f05aa0)
- ![Reading an advance copy of *Can't Help Faking in Love*. It's always a special moment to see the words I wrote in a physical book.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e2c09760-416b-45ce-9e1c-75cb87e15315)
- [Video: Unboxing early copies of my second romance novel, *Can't Help Faking in Love*. It's a desi fake dating story that I can't wait to share with the world.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/56764c73-5597-407f-89fb-d6cc95eba485)
- ![A meme that perfectly captures the vibe of *Can't Help Faking in Love*. It's for the fun and chill girls who also have a deep ache inside them.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/0c9b86a5-cb90-44f5-8e06-b4d5006b662c)
- ![This meme about Indian family expectations is a big mood and a central theme in *Can't Help Faking in Love*, where the heroine hires a fake boyfriend to deal with family pressure.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/46b0076f-27cb-4c59-9569-e225cf855787)
- !["Accidentally said 'I love you' to the cute barista again on purpose." This is the energy of the main character in *Can't Help Faking in Love*.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c241b5a1-0be1-4df1-a0a9-42b5e9aa17bd)
- ![A quick look at the tropes in *Can't Help Faking in Love*, which is available to request as an ARC on Netgalley. Fake dating, only one bed, and a grand desi wedding await.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d2cf1bb9-3228-47ae-b2cd-3cd74c802a08)
- ![My second romance novel, *Can't Help Faking In Love*, is now on Netgalley. It's a desi fake dating romance with tropes like "only one bed" and "forced proximity."](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2ce8cec5-8e06-43cc-9e8b-7a1ed4ea8504)
- ![The title page of *Can't Help Faking in Love* from the formatted proofs. Seeing it look like a real book for the first time was a huge moment for me.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/763068c6-eda6-4434-9f83-1b4a92dc3791)
- [Video: Casual things my boyfriend and I did before we became an official couple, like cuddling for "practice." This is the vibe of my fake dating romance, *Can't Help Faking in Love*.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/cc63c579-cfbf-4d0c-9c23-8a59235d471f)
- [Video: A pro tip for single women: don't read my romance novels, because you'll want a man like the ones I write. Or, just live vicariously through my books, like *Can't Help Faking in Love*.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e2b063b8-dec4-41eb-93f0-36af05a82561)
- ![Announcing a 25% off preorder sale at Barnes & Noble for *Can't Help Faking in Love*. It's a desi romance with fake dating, forced proximity, and a big fat Indian wedding.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c9339f24-4212-4849-8b7c-118171d6ad79)
- ![Don't miss the Barnes & Noble preorder sale for *Can't Help Faking in Love*. Use the code PREORDER25 to get 25% off.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e44228b1-cdaf-4435-8571-eadbfa2c1643)
- ![A special preorder offer for *Can't Help Faking in Love*. She needs a fake boyfriend, he needs the money. What could go wrong?](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/07413ee5-7bc3-4255-9862-8e8851c58130)
- [Video: The plot of my next novel, *Can't Help Faking in Love*: telling your parents you got dumped and are going to your cousin's wedding without a date, then hiring a hot barista as your fake boyfriend.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7b04cc8c-562b-4ae8-8d0d-15b0c6b6e211)
- [Video: When you're forced to hire the barista as your fake boyfriend, but he's actually hot. This is the dilemma in *Can't Help Faking in Love*.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b95f178d-ffec-4b3e-ad7e-e70e99c981d7)
- [Video: Me after moving away from my parents: "Let's be financially responsible!" Also me: hires a fake boyfriend to get my parents off my back. This is the story of Harsha in *Can't Help Faking in Love*.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9eafea5b-d94e-47c1-b0ba-c665216d2a09)
- ![A quick look at the tropes in my next book, *Can't Help Faking in Love*. It's a desi fake dating romance set in Bangalore, India, with an all-BIPOC cast and a Short King hero.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/18ab7400-eed9-44b1-b167-543d5c3b5fe2)

### [Match Me If You Can: A Friends-to-Lovers Desi Romance](https://mytribe.in/swatihegdeauthor/romance-young-adult-ya-fiction-writing/match-me-if-you-can-a-friends-to-lovers-desi-romance)

- ![Celebrating the UK release day for my debut novel, *Match Me If You Can*. This photo was taken in a beautiful garden, and I'm so excited for UK readers to meet Jia and Jaiman.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e4418aff-8842-490b-b787-1db4ce309c5f)
- ![A quick guide to the tropes in my debut novel, *Match Me If You Can*. It's a friends-to-lovers, foodie romance with meddling matchmaking, found family, and a hero who's been in love with the heroine the whole time.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4a17a245-8176-4e6b-a3aa-45f748171bd5)
- ![A quote from *Match Me If You Can* that captures the essence of the friends-to-lovers slow burn. "You didn't do forehead kisses with someone you wanted to land, you did them with someone you wanted to keep."](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/75765b4b-bb92-4a6a-903a-e3b8a4eb9a6d)
- [Video: Are you kidding me? In this book, the characters don't kiss until page 273. If you're a fan of extreme slow-burn romance, *Match Me If You Can* is the book for you.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d0b856f2-f15b-46f5-86f8-4bbb36d1e962)
- ![What would the main character of *Match Me If You Can*, Jia Deshpande, search on Google? Probably things like "how to get your boss to approve your matchmaking column" and "how to stop being attracted to your childhood friend."](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7f57177a-57da-4768-b52f-4435a5e4a66d)
- [Video: Meet the main characters of *Match Me If You Can*. Jaiman is struggling with his feelings for his childhood best friend, Jia, who is blissfully unaware she's matchmaking the wrong couple. It's chaotic friends-to-lovers energy.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d8b1f46c-827e-4682-9493-882f91b93b07)
- [Video: A snippet from *Match Me If You Can*, where the annoyingly handsome pub owner wants to kiss the clueless matchmaker, but can't because they're supposed to be just friends. The pining is real.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c25d3bf8-c4ad-4942-8957-a2f8ff5b0803)
- [Video: Happy first birthday to my debut novel, *Match Me If You Can*. It's been one year since it was published in the US, and I'm so grateful for every reader who has picked it up.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7c63c5f2-e7e4-408f-97f1-d6feed8ee1f1)
- ![Reading a copy of *Match Me If You Can* in a cafe. This book is set in Mumbai and is filled with delicious food descriptions and a whole lot of heart.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ef53cca6-9980-4947-a4d7-591950894380)
- [Video: A scene from a Bollywood movie that captures the "he walks in while she's trying on her mother's old wedding dress" moment. This is the kind of romantic energy you'll find in *Match Me If You Can*.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/11a2a928-88cc-490a-b855-4cbfd163a9a3)
- ![An overview of my desi adult romance, *Match Me If You Can*. It's a childhood friends-to-lovers story with foodie romance elements, set in Mumbai.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/3a06d975-f2e4-46c6-8390-76205eb3e79b)
- [Video: The algorithm thinks you might like my books. *Match Me If You Can* is a slow-burn friends-to-lovers romance, perfect for fans of Jane Austen's *Emma*.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/afbbb7d4-4434-46bb-81d9-3ca19c7ecdc4)
- [Video: Girls be like "I hate my life" but then read a slow-burn romance novel that makes them squeal and life's all good again. *Match Me If You Can* is that book.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/52420d1d-b64b-451a-9039-5e1828c3a257)
- [Video: Sometimes all you need is a good book, a hot mug of tea, and a cozy blanket. Here I am enjoying my own novel, *Match Me If You Can*.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/16a92c41-1713-441b-a8b4-94bb1a256be9)
- [Video: I'm a mom of two... book babies, that is. *Match Me If You Can* is my first, a desi friends-to-lovers romance.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/676805dc-850c-4caa-bd6e-c6cfa9531e9a)
- [Video: Someone told me to stop writing slow-burn desi romance novels. My response? Can't stop, won't stop. *Match Me If You Can* is a friends-to-lovers story pitched as *Emma* meets *When Harry Met Sally*.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8b07057d-90f4-4b86-a795-f9fee195cce0)
- [Video: A scene from a Bollywood movie that perfectly captures a romantic moment from *Match Me If You Can*. This book is full of slow-burn yearning.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c0e53832-6c2d-4ed6-bcc7-37635aabccef)
- [Video: Looking for a friends-to-lovers book recommendation? Check out my debut novel, *Match Me If You Can*, a slow-burn romance about a matchmaker and her childhood best friend.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/428216d7-790b-4c4c-98d3-7afc27afdfbc)
- [Video: If you're looking for a friends-to-lovers book that feels like Taylor Swift's song "Dress," then you need to read *Match Me If You Can*.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/5a2ab8a2-9936-417f-857e-051b12c65537)
- [Video: Maybe friends-to-lovers is your favorite trope because you love the idea of someone knowing every version of you and choosing to stay anyway. If so, I've got a list of recommendations, including my own *Match Me If You Can*.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ac97701e-96df-4692-a831-86cc82bee51a)
- [Video: Why do I read romance novels? Because everyone deserves love, and romance novels remind us of that. My book, *Match Me If You Can*, is a celebration of love in all its forms.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/5e271aca-bc28-44cd-ac3e-0b9cb1ae8efa)
- [Video: If you like reading about friends-to-lovers, a hero who falls first, and a whole lot of pining, then read *Match Me If You Can* and thank me later.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f67725de-0f0f-483a-a116-5886aea588b2)
- ![A special 99p ebook deal for UK readers of *Match Me If You Can*. It's a desi slow-burn friends-to-lovers romance set in Mumbai.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8d3bbf73-17a5-4f76-b1e9-62a721c28c01)
- [Video: I may be biased, but I love this book. A quote from *Match Me If You Can* that shows the depth of the characters' feelings for each other.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b103fbc5-6adf-4b15-9dbd-cfe78431b2ec)
- [Video: An animated look at the main characters of *Match Me If You Can*: the relationship writer who thinks she'll never meet her match, and her childhood friend who's loved her since he was 12.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/edae90d0-d6d5-4d0e-8586-ea20f61dce11)
- ![The cover of my debut novel, *Match Me If You Can*, available in the US, Canada, UK, and India. It's a friends-to-lovers romance with *Emma* and *When Harry Met Sally* vibes.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2ab87876-8c3f-4a81-b15c-7b599a469281)
- ![What would the male lead of *Match Me If You Can*, Jaiman Patil, search on Google? "How to deal with feelings for your childhood friend" and "how to tell someone they're clueless as hell."](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d4be53e0-df4f-43f5-bc60-b76703c4c46a)
- ![If your lore started with Monica and Chandler, Emma Woodhouse, or Ash and Misty, then you'll love my friends-to-lovers romance, *Match Me If You Can*.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b707f74e-11da-4e5c-bb08-b5e63e84ca8a)
- ![If you love will-they-won't-they banter and Jane Austen levels of pining, you need to read this book. *Match Me If You Can* is a modern-day desi romance.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/3aea38c3-fb9a-4d44-ae8e-7285244a3a4f)
- ![A stack of my debut novel, *Match Me If You Can*, on its UK release day. It's a dream come true to be published in multiple countries.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6684d841-7b74-4153-a54d-1c6ff9c7084f)
- ![Peeking over a copy of my debut novel, *Match Me If You Can*. This book is a desi romance pitched as *Emma* meets *When Harry Met Sally*.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4bc13fc6-b35b-465e-9be4-a837097994cf)
- ![A quote from the New Year's Eve scene in *Match Me If You Can*. It's a pivotal moment for Jia and Jaiman, full of cheers, screams, and a long-awaited kiss.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7146c35b-39eb-4793-8adc-814c4410b983)
- ![Celebrating six months of *Match Me If You Can*. This book is the book of my heart, a desi friends-to-lovers romance about a matchmaker and her childhood friend.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d1f6a4ba-9ec7-4738-9071-7edc15af8ee9)
- ![A photo from my debut month, placing a copy of *Match Me If You Can* on a bookstore shelf. It's been an incredible six months since its release.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/730e3a94-c593-4c4c-a338-706294273c25)
- ![Another favorite moment from the past six months: hiding behind my book, *Match Me If You Can*. This story is so special to me.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8afb28f9-a871-4a04-ad51-e451b88f49fd)
- ![An advance copy of *Match Me If You Can* with some pink rosé lemonade, celebrating the journey of this book.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ffba02f9-f97b-4c00-8496-8b09f74bd289)
- ![Dressed up to celebrate the release of *Match Me If You Can*. This book has been a dream come true.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/537b866e-15fe-41b4-b1a5-e138df6d72bc)
- ![The first chapter of *Match Me If You Can*. It all starts with Jia Deshpande writing an article titled "Seven Signs He's the One," while a voice in her head screams, "There is no such thing as 'The One'!"](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a43d99f7-1fac-4374-9390-c836ac0e32d5)
- [Video: Totally unbiased opinion: this is the greatest book in the world and everyone should read it. Oops, how did the camera flip? *Match Me If You Can* is a friends-to-lovers desi romance.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/3cfa3ab3-de8c-4414-ad44-7abee74656cb)
- ![A beautiful flatlay of *Match Me If You Can* from a reader. This review calls it a "must-read for all people, especially for the fans of romance."](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6b6cbef4-4419-449e-ba66-624cbcdaa2e6)
- [Video: Here's the pitch for *Match Me If You Can*: I work at a women's magazine and have to set up my co-worker to get a matchmaking column, but my annoying guy friend thinks I'm going to mess it up.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/886bef32-a3e8-495a-8a5b-d71f09bc1dd0)
- [Video: I lied. Put your clothes back on. We're going to talk about my debut novel where an aspiring matchmaker and a struggling pub owner bicker their way to true love.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4eb02f52-6073-41f6-8dba-d591702cccc7)
- [Video: POV: You find your new favorite book boyfriend in *Match Me If You Can*, a desi friends-to-lovers romance that will make you hungry for Indian food.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2cedacdc-0574-48d0-913c-8b6edd837aaa)
- [Video: I'm just a girl, living for the hope that you'll get my book, *Match Me If You Can*, and make it a bestseller. It's a desi romance with *Emma* and *When Harry Met Sally* vibes.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b36e86dc-a404-4c7f-a639-348961928cdb)
- ![A graphic showing the celebrity fancasts for my book, *Match Me If You Can*. This is just for fun, but let me know what you think.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8ae75e5a-c1e0-4640-a404-9b7275e07018)
- ![My celebrity fancasts for the main characters of *Match Me If You Can*: Sayani Gupta as Jia Deshpande and Imran Khan as Jaiman Patil.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/39dbbbb8-ef0a-40a7-b5aa-5f28b26cd783)
- ![My fancasts for the secondary characters in *Match Me If You Can*, including Charulata, Manoj, Eshaan, Flora, and Harish.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a02172e7-c87c-4a97-b3d8-52212855ee83)
- [Video: When she's a matchmaker who thinks she'll never find love, until she realizes she's loved her childhood guy friend all along. The story of *Match Me If You Can*.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/62dc6e08-7d0f-48ac-869f-68a15414b411)
- [Video: When you're a matchmaker thinking you'll never meet your own match, but your cynical guy friend has loved you since day one. That's the plot of my debut novel, *Match Me If You Can*.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/217c0ccf-3f2c-4873-bbe1-1e5668d3e0c7)
- ![An out-of-context quote from Jia, the main character of *Match Me If You Can*: "I couldn't stop thinking about how, when we were kissing, it was... It was like shopping, but better."](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8b401609-a2cb-42cf-9747-b6f72cc896f2)
- ![Another sassy quote from Jia in *Match Me If You Can*: "You don't get to explain matchmaking to me under my own roof. I don't come to your pub and tell you how to mix cocktails, do I?"](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9f57fe5b-e020-4a41-97b2-be5ac879d752)
- ![Jia's strong personality shines in this quote from *Match Me If You Can*: "I guess our definitions of 'friend' are different. I wouldn't call a Bumble hookup my friend, but good for you."](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/cb20e1de-d0d6-4f04-a78d-c8404bfcfaa3)
- ![A toast to Jaiman Patil, the hero of *Match Me If You Can*, who has the best culinary taste and would never mix vodka and vadas.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7775bd47-f19a-4ed8-a2e7-cc7d07ab8b55)
- !["Why are you so nice? It makes it so hard to hate you." A classic friends-to-lovers line from my debut novel, *Match Me If You Can*.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f98ee774-f8d0-447b-9ecf-c60bdc8e6806)
- !["Speak of the devil. The clean-shaven, muscular devil with those twinkling big brown eyes." Jia's first impression of Jaiman in *Match Me If You Can*.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2486df58-8381-42f4-a94b-68a3648fdd53)
- ![Get your copy of my debut friends-to-lovers romance, *Match Me If You Can*, from your nearest bookstore or online retailer.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/cbcef0e8-765d-4e9a-b648-f9cebbed559a)
- [Video: See how I sign copies of my debut romance novel, *Match Me If You Can*. It's a friends-to-lovers story set in Mumbai with *Clueless* meets *When Harry Met Sally* vibes.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/73a91e63-43b1-4083-a39b-38b1f15a43d1)
- ![A reader's highlighted page from *Match Me If You Can*, focusing on the idea of choosing someone and staying in love.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/73ee9590-ee86-407d-9bf7-227f53aa146f)
- ![Another beautiful annotation from a reader of *Match Me If You Can*, highlighting how fiercely the hero loves the heroine.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a875edad-8b4d-40cb-9b04-c2a9e25bd883)
- !["You fall in love, but the conscious choice both partners make every single day is to stay in that relationship." A highlighted quote from *Match Me If You Can*.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a037ce28-40aa-4e60-9015-9b34da18d028)
- ![A cozy reader photo of *Match Me If You Can*. This review calls it a "light, delightful read that will bring a smile to your face."](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4b4ec275-86da-458c-8a05-d0ea026b4cd2)
- ![A reader highlighted this quote from my book: "You choose 'The One' for you, and you continue to make that choice every single day for the rest of your life."](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/20f82506-3c6f-4c8e-97ec-8928b8708a68)
- !["Maybe falling in love wasn't a choice, but working on nurturing that love within a relationship absolutely was." A beautiful highlighted passage from a reader of *Match Me If You Can*.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/49b4ff10-a591-4add-bc1b-a39291b9376c)
- !["Loving someone means putting hope above fear." A wise quote from a manicurist in *Match Me If You Can*, highlighted by a reader.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/bf3c449b-9664-469d-b67e-97e12e971c56)
- !["Love didn't happen by chance, after all—it took effort." A key theme from *Match Me If You Can*, as highlighted by a reader.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/faf62e14-e993-4af2-8583-b9dae976ce14)
- ![A reader's photo of heart-shaped pizzas, celebrating their love for *Match Me If You Can*. They call it a "gem" with a perfect male lead.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ac33ef46-f498-4c29-a220-7541422d95cc)
- ![A beautiful moodboard created by a reader for *Match Me If You Can*, capturing the friends-to-lovers, childhood sweethearts vibe of the book.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c3b2d464-e2ff-4c60-b251-abb3e08b7273)
- ![A reader-submitted photo that captures the foodie romance aspect of *Match Me If You Can*.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4177dea3-5a2c-4f76-b61f-26865414d44b)
- ![A reader's photo capturing the desi wedding and friendship vibes present in my books.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d1d08d3c-cc25-47dd-aa8e-331d3afba3c2)
- ![Another reader photo that perfectly encapsulates the foodie romance theme in *Match Me If You Can*.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/04289e1f-296a-46e7-89e6-014f6f0f7e1c)
- ![A cozy writing setup photo from a reader, inspired by my books.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ae9c3949-5e42-4a7d-bb1a-0b73085893d3)
- ![A photo from a reader that captures the big fat Indian wedding energy you'll find in my desi romance novels.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/45ab5c4f-33ad-411e-ada7-0cc864fdf019)
- [Video: If you're looking for a friends-to-lovers book that feels like Taylor Swift's "Dress," check out my debut novel, *Match Me If You Can*.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c10a7de6-7e97-4fe2-839d-26c095e89704)
- [Video: Hi, I'm Swati, and I write desi romance novels with strong-willed heroines and soft-hearted heroes. If you love slow-burn, check out *Match Me If You Can*.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a9a4098f-1d33-492b-affe-51aa491fa097)
- [Video: Dear writer's block and imposter syndrome, guess what? I won. My debut romance novel, *Match Me If You Can*, is out now after 5 years and 400+ rejections.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/be03d7f2-7e51-4089-b569-d9bcf50023fc)
- ![I'm a published author! My debut friends-to-lovers romance, *Match Me If You Can*, is officially out in the US. It feels fake, but it's real.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/29361593-7ed5-4150-b5f8-d2541eccca73)
- ![Reading my debut novel, *Match Me If You Can*, in a cafe. It's a dream come true to see my book in the world.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e9044cc1-10fb-4b50-9c25-0b787a027b30)
- ![A close-up shot of me with my debut novel. *Match Me If You Can* is a laugh-out-loud desi romance that I'm so proud of.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/db0ba64c-7473-47cf-a616-b28532af5dce)
- ![Holding up my first book baby, *Match Me If You Can*. It's a friends-to-lovers story set in Mumbai, and it's available now.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/db725b6f-4187-4773-81b5-545644b04ef6)
- ![Holding a few copies of my debut novel. It's a surreal feeling to have a physical product of my hard work.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6c4664b9-e5d5-4d80-8e06-9cada53ad03c)

## Meet your expert

[Swati Hegde](https://mytribe.in/swatihegdeauthor)

### My story

Hey, I'm Swati. Bangalore girl, 29, writing desi romance and YA, living for the drama and the feels. I was that nerdy kid scribbling novels for friends and celebrating rejection letters - weird, I know. Amma saying 'proud of you, beta' still makes me tear up. Came out as bi after reading one queer romance, now I’m all about unapologetic queer joy in my books. Disaster bi, karaoke addict, tea over coffee, big dreams, messy heart.

### My work

- **Desi Romance & YA Author**: I write slowburn desi romance and young adult stories, big on heart and humor, low on spice.
- **Tropes & Vibes**: Love friends to lovers, rivals to lovers, fake dating. Indian and Indian-American characters, lots of yearning.
- **Queer Romcoms**: My queer YA romcoms cheer for unapologetic queer joy, inspired by pop culture and my own journey.
- **Fiction Writing Coach**: Been through the trenches, got a 5-book deal. I help writers with drafts, edits, and surviving publishing.

## More services from Swati Hegde

- [Fiction Writing Coaching](https://mytribe.in/swatihegdeauthor/fiction-writing-coaching) · ₹2,000-6,000 per session (estimate)

## Book

To book Swati Hegde, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%2C%20I'm%20looking%20for%20Romance%20%26%20Young%20Adult%20(YA)%20Fiction%20Writing%20by%20Swati%20Hegde.)