A review by thebookishelf
Qismat by Kritika Padhy

5.0

Life is a wonderful thing, but on the other hand, it is also capable of being dreadful and cruel. We have been taught that we are the architects of our own fates and that our choices will determine how our lives will unfold. What will you do when fate has other plans for you? How will you react to those plans of destiny in which everything you've ever cared about and loved is taken away from you by chance?

In Qismat, Kritika Padhy explores what it means to put everything at risk in order to pursue one's desires and questions whether or not it is ever possible to let go of one's past. Kritika accomplishes this feat by creating two absolutely incredible characters. Dr. Ishita Goenka is an accomplished cardiologist and a fiercely self-reliant woman who finds joy in giving back to society and never needs anyone's acceptance or support to get by. While Ishita is skeptical about her horoscope and is well aware of a "flaw" in it, she intends to roll with whatever punches life throws her way.

Karthik, a business magnate, is another one of the story's main characters. He is a firm believer that a person's karma is the primary factor in determining their destiny. He has accomplished a lot of things on his own. The readers will like him immediately and will be immersed in his journey right from the beginning. As destiny unites Ishita and Kartik in marriage, the couple does their best to tackle any difficulties that arise.

Qismat by Kritika Padhy offers everything you could want in a romance novel: likeable main characters, a swarm of chemistry between them, a cast of endearing and interesting side characters, and a fascinating plot. The events that transpire in this tale convincingly demonstrate that life is a mess but ultimately a beautiful mess. This is a coming-of-age story that is written in a way that is both charming and touching.

Everything in this book, from the characters to the struggles and hardships they had been through to the emotions of the people around them, seemed like it was taken straight from real life. A slow-burning romance between two individuals who love each other for who they are rather than being attracted to one another for superficial reasons such as wealth or physical attractiveness. And that's what makes it real.

Finishing a good story leaves you feeling as if you’re holding an ever-filling coffee mug of hope and expectations. More than the romance, the writing, or the passion, Qismat was a story about going on with life, taking control of it, and changing others' lives for the better. Each and every relationship felt so real, tangible, and beautiful. It truly was a novel about fate, hope, and belief in a better future.