Moti on the Water Kindle Edition

4.5 stars. Compared to Leylah Attar's other works, this one is more of the rom com and light hearted variety. But don't let that fool you, because there are still several deeper layers of thought provoking substance embedded within it. It's a story about family, expectations, liberation and being true to oneself, among other things. Moti is always trying to meet the demands of her mother in an attempt to earn her love and approval, but seems to keep falling short. At her cousin's wedding on a cruise ship, she is surrounded by family who all have their own issues, as well as a sexy chef name Alex who keeps interrupting her plans as she tries to pursue a different guy who checks all the right boxes, Nikos. Moti has to weigh the burden of pleasing her mother versus going after her own goals and living for herself even if it's at the cost of her mother withdrawing completely. I adored Alex right from the get go. He's self-assured, charming and talented in the kitchen, where he brings the art of cuisine to life. It wasn't the dimples or man bun that won me over, but the shark oven mitts. As with her other books, Moti on the Water feels like submerging in a cultural experience with food flair because the visualizations are so vivid. I laughed, but I also swooned and felt my heart squeeze.

(3.5 stars) I wasn't expecting this from the author of THE PAPER SWAN. That book was gritty, dark, and unsettling. This one is almost that one's polar opposite. MOTI is closer to light and breezy than to angsty, even though it does have a few touches of seriousness to it.This is a bit of an ethnic Bridget Jones type story. Moti is an Indian-American woman whose relationship with her mother is fraught. Moti is also lacking self-confidence and self-assertiveness and she doesn't have the best self image. She's also somewhat clumsy and awkward at times. (And, as with Bridget Jones, I found myself a bit annoyed with her at times, but she will come into her own eventually.)When Moti's cousin is set to marry a Greek tycoon's son in a destination wedding complete with a cruise to the Greek islands, her life is about to change. And we get to go along for the ride (or cruise, shall we say). She had always been convinced that any body of water, including pools, would bring about her death, and also had been told that she was destined to marry a man with two thumbs. (Yes, many exist. Look it up.) When it turns out that the best man at the wedding, hunky, handsome, rich Greek entrepreneur Nick, has that additional appendage, Moti is sure he's the man destined for her, her soulmate.Well, except for that handsome Greek chef Alex, who prepares the meals on the yacht. Her soul feels more mated to him than to two-thumbed Nick. What to do?Well, what the reader should do is sit back and enjoy this mostly lighthearted rom-com. Who is the best man for Moti? And will she be able to break free from the cage that tradition, unhealthy family relationships, and superstition have put her in?I guess you could subtitle this story as "Moti gets a backbone and a life." She learns that family members are really more complex and more flexible than she had realized. She learns that being herself and doing what she wants is more important than molding herself to placate others.If you like romances, I think you'll like this one, if only because of chef Alex. The man is lovely, almost too good to be true. And he has a magic touch in the kitchen. The part food plays in this story is almost as important as in that magical Mexican story LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE by Laura Esquivel.

Man, once again Leylah has transported me to another world, this time aboard a luxury yacht traveling around Greece. Moti - pronounced "Mo-thi" is our heroine, and I absolutely loved how Leylah made her into a woman that I could totally relate to. Both Moti and Alex are amazingly refreshing characters, and the dynamic between them was rolled out perfectly by Leylah. Their relationship unfolded slowly over time and I wanted nothing more than for these two people to find a happily ever after.I had no idea that Leylah had such a funny side! The catastrophes that happen Moti, the hilarious family antics that occur, I laughed so much throughout this book! I loved all the secondary characters, most especially Naani. I wish I had a Naani in my life.Even though this book is pretty darn funny, Leylah still brings us a multilayered story that addresses some heavy topics, like feeling invisible in your own family, being afraid to stretch past your comfort zone, and doing what is expected of you, instead of doing what your heart is telling you to do.Looks can often be deceiving and I marveled at how Leylah strings together each character's secrets and ultimately reveals them in an almost comical but also profound way that shifts the family dynamics a bit.On top of everything happening, we are practically tortured with reading about the fabulous foods that Alex prepares on the ship. Never have I been in a constant state of hunger while reading a book before as I have been with this one! Leylah was making me have foodgasms left and right, drooling over the smells and tastes elaborately described throughout the story. And to top it off, her descriptions of all the destinations the yacht stopped at along the way has made we want to drop everything and travel to Greece to see it all for myself.What a perfect read this was!! I laughed, I cried happy tears, I marveled at the sights, sounds and smells. I felt like a fly on the wall, observing these two families come together and Moti and Alex find their way to each other. Definitely a book I will reread over and over again!

My words are not good enough to describe how much I adore this unique and refreshing story.Leylah Attar has sprinkled her magic all over these pages, and has proven once again that she is a master of her game. She is in a class of her own, and let me tell you, when her mind starts cooking up a story, we can rest assured that it will be an experience not to missed.Attar has nailed the art of transporting her readers to far away places, and through her trademark prose, we are thrown into cultures and fascinating traditions that we would otherwise know little about, were it not for her exquisite stories.You want to read something different? Meet Moti, our 24 year old, Indian-American heroine, who is torn between her obligations to her family and living her best life. Yes, this story is light and refreshing. It's laugh out loud funny in places, and the perfect summer read, but don't be fooled by the humour. Attar has weaved some very relatable and deep themes throughout the pages of this much anticipated novel.We are whisked away on a super-yacht around the Cyclades - a group of Greek Islands in the Aegean Sea - where the author has nailed the Greek and Indian cultures to a T. The characters are very real and relatable, and you'll find yourself howling at some of the antics on board the Abigail Rose II. But amidst the laughter, your heart will fall in love with Moti, a quirky, clever, funny, clumsy, self-conscious young lady, whose mission in life is to please her mother.Not only will you be overloaded with the sights of the mesmerising Cyclades, your senses will be exploding when Chef Alexandros, the on-board chef, is introduced. His food will take you on a culinary adventure, and your taste buds will be zinging and pinging with delight.Can Chef Alex find a way to Moti's heart through her stomach, or will she remain loyal and steadfast in her quest to please her mother?Moti On The Water is a hilarious and heartwarming story of family, loyalty, obligation, and finding yourself. I defy you not to fall in love with Moti, with the Greek isles, and with Alex and his magical powers that can transform onions into chocolate.This is a summer read not to be missed!Perfection once again from Leylah Attar.

Absolutely loved this book. Well written as always by Leylah. It couldn't be more different than her other books but nevertheless a good read. I love the style of Leylars books they grip you from the start wether it be goodies or baddies you are always engrossed. I'm just sorry I have finished . Write another one quick.

I read this while on holiday. I loved the characters, their individual stories and the group as a whole. It's funny, sad and an absolute joy to read. I would highly recommend this book along with all the other Leylah has written.

Absolutely LOVED this book. Perfect easy summer read that you won't want to put down and definitely won't want to finish. You're away in the sunshine on the sea eating their food and mostly laughing out loud. Perfect summer read

Moti, is a truly amazing story where love is found by accident. A lifelong premonition has ruled her life, but through a twist in fate it all changed.