In HOW SIMI GOT HER GROOM BACK, Sonali Dev uses a cute and clever title to draw us in and make the book appear to be a delicious rom-com. It is certainly that, but like many wonderfully written novels in that genre, it is so much more than "just" a romantic comedy. While we read about Simi and her sister, Rupi, we learn about their tragic childhood and sisterly bond, human trafficking, the difficulties of immigration, the perils of life in India, and the wonders of a loving family.

Simi immigrated from India to the United States and is in the process of getting her green card. She's almost through all the hoops and requirements, and the doctors she works for have been able to show that there are not enough pediatric nurses with her abilities, so she is needed here. One doctor, however, seems reluctant to sign off on the final documents, threatening Simi if she doesn't quit her other job. Simi nannies in her spare time for a doctor’s family and their triplets. He married into a traditional Indian family, and Simi not only envies their closeness and loving relationships, she has fallen in love with their son, Prem.

They have kept their relationship secret, but Prem wants to get married. He also knows that will make getting Simi's green card easier. But Simi is stubborn and doesn't want their love sullied by using it to make the immigration process easier. Rupi shows up at the hospital where Simi works after escaping from a horrible situation. Bad turns to worse when Rupi, who hasn't eaten in days, faints and ends up in the hospital.

"This beautifully complex novel has it all. It's not just a love story (or two), but also an ode to family ties and immigrants who make our country great and deserve dignity, fairness and justice."

Simi and Rupi had no family in India. Their mother was uncaring, negligent and only interested in her latest boyfriend. Rupi is five years older than Simi and basically raised her, protected her, cared for her, and pushed her to get an education so she could have a better life. She sacrificed everything for Simi. And when the situation in India grew perilous for Rupi, she desperately needed to escape. A seemingly lovely American couple had offered her a job in their California restaurant and promised to send her a plane ticket and arrange for her visa. Out of necessity, she accepted. But they had no intention of paying her. They took away her passport, forcing her to work and live in squalid surroundings until she was finally able to escape.

When the hospital asks for Rupi’s insurance information and identification, she doesn't know what to do. Her passport is still in the hands of her traffickers, and even her few belongings that she carried in a backpack had been stolen. So in perfect comedic form, she grabs Prem's hand and claims that as soon as they are married, all will be resolved.

Within minutes, thanks to the Indian dietician in the room who knows Prem's family, the news of his engagement is out. Unfortunately, Prem is now engaged to Rupi instead of Simi, which leads to a comedy of errors. The rom-com part of the novel is perfectly executed, and the romance is delightful. But the in-between part, the storyline dealing with immigration and human trafficking, is also powerfully written and shines a light on that which is normally hidden under shabby carpets and behind the doors of neglected buildings. People. People who have come to America hoping for a better life. People who have arrived at our shining shores willing to do whatever it takes to build a new future. People who tragically are taken advantage of and turned into virtual slaves --- with no identification or money, isolated from family and support, lacking a decent life.

Dev cleverly displays the ability to make us feel the terror that those who are in fear for their lives must endure. It’s all placed smack-dab in the middle of a love story and combined with the creation of two characters whose backbone, love for each other and determination to do the best they can is what makes this novel so memorable. At this point, I'll admit that I cried at the end of the story --- twice, actually --- and even when I reread it while writing this review.

My tears started when Prem explains to his mother why they had to hatch the plan for him to marry Simi's sister. He defends the two women and tells her that she has spent months exclaiming how "loving and strong and generous they are." He says, "You were absolutely right, they are, and no one gave them that. Their values and strength and love weren't taught and modeled by a family like ours was. They've had nothing their whole lives that they didn't create themselves. Not even love. All the things you've taught us about life, they are models of it and no one taught them. They just are." Dev's writing is incredibly touching.

This beautifully complex novel has it all. It's not just a love story (or two), but also an ode to family ties and immigrants who make our country great and deserve dignity, fairness and justice. Dev told me that when she wrote the book, "I was deeply offended by the rhetoric of dehumanization around immigration and deportation." With Rupi's story, as well as Simi's, she wanted to demonstrate what it's like to walk in the shoes of someone in that situation. With new draconian measures that are being taken against immigrants, even those with green cards, HOW SIMI GOT HER GROOM BACK is vital for today's times.