---
title: "Match Me If You Can: A Desi Friends-to-Lovers Romance by Swati Hegde"
description: "Read my debut desi friends-to-lovers romance, Match Me If You Can. Set in Mumbai, this slowburn romance novel is perfect for fans of Emma and When Harry Met Sally."
canonical: https://mytribe.in/swatihegdeauthor/romance-young-adult-ya-fiction-writing/match-me-if-you-can-a-friends-to-lovers-desi-romance
last_updated: 2025-09-15
---

# Match Me If You Can: A Friends-to-Lovers Desi Romance

Tribe Verified · Published author of 3 desi romance novels.

By [Swati Hegde](https://mytribe.in/swatihegdeauthor) · Ships to India, United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia · ₹12K per package (estimate)

Part of [Romance & Young Adult (YA) Fiction Writing](https://mytribe.in/swatihegdeauthor/romance-young-adult-ya-fiction-writing). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/swatihegdeauthor/romance-young-adult-ya-fiction-writing/gallery)

My debut novel is a slow-burn, friends-to-lovers foodie romance set in Mumbai. It is a modern take on Jane Austen's Emma meets When Harry Met Sally, following a magazine writer who tries her hand at matchmaking while ignoring her feelings for her childhood best friend.

## Photos and videos

- ![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)

## About Match Me If You Can: A Friends-to-Lovers Desi Romance

If you are curious about the pacing, my characters in Match Me If You Can do not kiss until page 273. It is an exercise in extreme pining, which is exactly how I approach all my slowburn desi romance—focused heavily on the emotional tension and that 'will they or won't they' energy that keeps you turning pages.

Writing about Mumbai felt personal because the city itself is a character in my books. When I crafted the story of Jia and Jaiman, I wanted to capture that specific buzz of South Mumbai, the food, and the messy, beautiful reality of friends-to-lovers dynamics. 

### Why the 'Slowburn' Matters
Readers often ask why I wait so long for the first kiss. For me, romance is about the build-up. It is about the forehead kisses, the shared glances, and the fear of ruining a lifelong friendship. Whether you are reading my books for the 'found family' vibes or looking for advice on your own manuscript, I treat every story with the same level of care.

### Can I help you write your own?
Beyond writing novels, I spend a lot of time as a fiction writing coach. I have been through the 400+ rejection phase, and I know exactly what it takes to get a deal. 
- **Submission Packages:** I offer deep-dive audits on query letters and first chapters to make sure your hook lands.
- **Mentorship:** If you are stuck in a plot hole or fighting imposter syndrome, we can hop on a video call to get your draft back on track.

My goal is always to help writers tell their stories without losing their voice to 'market standards.' If you have a manuscript sitting in your Google Docs, let's turn it into a book.

## About Swati Hegde

I'm Swati, a Bangalore-based author who thrives on matcha, cats, and writing stories that feel like a cozy hug. I spend my days dreaming up slowburn desi romance and my evenings helping fellow writers turn their rough drafts into books they're actually proud of.

[See all of Swati Hegde's services](https://mytribe.in/swatihegdeauthor)

## More from Romance & Young Adult (YA) Fiction Writing by Swati Hegde

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

## More services by Swati Hegde

- [Fiction Writing Coaching](https://mytribe.in/swatihegdeauthor/fiction-writing-coaching)

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## Book

To book Swati Hegde, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%20Swati!%20I%20was%20looking%20at%20your%20'Match%20Me%20If%20You%20Can'%20book%20page%20and%20would%20love%20to%20chat%20about%20your%20fiction%20writing%20coaching%20services.)