Naina Kumar practises law in Texas, US, by day and indulges in her passion for romance reading and writing by night. When not immersed in writing, she enjoys taking her rowdy rescue dog for walks and binge-watching the dramedy series, Gilmore Girls. Say You’ll Be My Jaan, published as Say You’ll Be Mine in the USA and Canada, is her debut novel.
In this book, Kumar crafts an undeniably romantic tale filled with humour and heartfelt moments, centred around two Indian-Americans who, for vastly different reasons, choose to enter into a fake engagement. As they delve deeper into their pretend relationship, genuine emotions surface, making way for a whirlwind of events and unexpected blooming of love. Layered with elements of “brown” culture, familial expectations, and the complexities of modern-day dating, the book feels reminiscent of the early 2000s Bollywood romcom era.
Kumar spoke to Scroll about her detour from law into writing, what love means for her, and why she chose to address cultural issues in a romance novel. Excerpts from the interview:
How did your transition from practising law during the day to crafting heartfelt, swoon-worthy romances come about? Could you share more about your journey towards becoming a published author? Also, many congratulations on being on the USA Today Bestselling list!
So, I’m…
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