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jainandsdiary's Reviews (310)
Mrs. Bhushan To The Rescue by Ruskin Bond is a collection of 15 stories, ranging from different topics and themes, introducing various characters that have crossed the path of the writer at one point or another in his life, and making the readers go through their short, but wholesome stories.
This collection does not follow any particular theme in general, but each story having a unique voice in itself when accumulated gives a flavour of life, comfort, uniqueness, individuality, and of course, of nature!
"Mrs. Bhushan To The Rescue" is a story that has never appeared in print before, and came like a breath of fresh air to me, making me excited to read the next part of that story as well, as Mr. Bond hinted.
This collection, as always the case with Mr. Bond comforted me. If you are looking forward to reading a book that evokes calmness inside you, go for it.
And if you want to read a short review of each of the stories in this collection, head over to my blog. Link below:
https://jainandgurjar.home.blog/2023/03/17/ruskin-bond/
Thanks to the publisher for the book in exchange for an honest review.
This collection does not follow any particular theme in general, but each story having a unique voice in itself when accumulated gives a flavour of life, comfort, uniqueness, individuality, and of course, of nature!
"Mrs. Bhushan To The Rescue" is a story that has never appeared in print before, and came like a breath of fresh air to me, making me excited to read the next part of that story as well, as Mr. Bond hinted.
This collection, as always the case with Mr. Bond comforted me. If you are looking forward to reading a book that evokes calmness inside you, go for it.
And if you want to read a short review of each of the stories in this collection, head over to my blog. Link below:
https://jainandgurjar.home.blog/2023/03/17/ruskin-bond/
Thanks to the publisher for the book in exchange for an honest review.
Book: The Mementos Of Runjh
Author: Nivedita 'Ramendu'Shukla
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: StoryMirror
Pages: 482
Do you ever feel that when you visit a museum or any place of significant historical importance, and look at the objects there, objects living the life of their owners through the stories attached to them and when you look at them keenly and altogether, it felt like narrating the complete story itself! And this is the story that makes you go through this experience.
This is the story of the Dahima Dynasty. This shows that when the ancestors created the problems and chaos in the light of Independence, how Rajendra Singh Dahima prepares himself to face it. Will he be able to continue his regime or is there something else written in his destiny? What will his successor do? Will they be able to manage the problems arising with the changing time or will they lose their existence? To know more, read the book.
The most beautiful and convincing aspect of this book is the characters. They make you feel invested in the story and involved in their journey. The change that independence brings for the ruling dynasties and kingdoms, from their way of living to their interaction and faith with the people and how it all changed was beautifully depicted. The women in this story, from Maharani Subhadra to Iravati and especially Aishwarya and Kanchan have so many layers in their character arc, making it a captivating and empowering read.
The book covers a lot of issues through its characters. The patriarchy, royalty, sacrifices for dreams, jealousy, friendship, camaraderie, and many others whose mention would be a spoiler.
As a debut book, the author did a great job with the story, especially with the characters. I just wish the book to be a little shorter, around 50 pages, and carry on the mystery with diverse clues and indicators in the story than the monotonous.
If you want to read a book that shows the subtle change in the dynasties over a while, especially after being affected by independence and having minute details around the main characters, go for it!
Author: Nivedita 'Ramendu'Shukla
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: StoryMirror
Pages: 482
Do you ever feel that when you visit a museum or any place of significant historical importance, and look at the objects there, objects living the life of their owners through the stories attached to them and when you look at them keenly and altogether, it felt like narrating the complete story itself! And this is the story that makes you go through this experience.
This is the story of the Dahima Dynasty. This shows that when the ancestors created the problems and chaos in the light of Independence, how Rajendra Singh Dahima prepares himself to face it. Will he be able to continue his regime or is there something else written in his destiny? What will his successor do? Will they be able to manage the problems arising with the changing time or will they lose their existence? To know more, read the book.
The most beautiful and convincing aspect of this book is the characters. They make you feel invested in the story and involved in their journey. The change that independence brings for the ruling dynasties and kingdoms, from their way of living to their interaction and faith with the people and how it all changed was beautifully depicted. The women in this story, from Maharani Subhadra to Iravati and especially Aishwarya and Kanchan have so many layers in their character arc, making it a captivating and empowering read.
The book covers a lot of issues through its characters. The patriarchy, royalty, sacrifices for dreams, jealousy, friendship, camaraderie, and many others whose mention would be a spoiler.
As a debut book, the author did a great job with the story, especially with the characters. I just wish the book to be a little shorter, around 50 pages, and carry on the mystery with diverse clues and indicators in the story than the monotonous.
If you want to read a book that shows the subtle change in the dynasties over a while, especially after being affected by independence and having minute details around the main characters, go for it!
Book: My Time In The Town
Author: Ruskin Bond
Genre: Anthology
Publisher: Rupa Publication
Pages: 120
The Time In The Town by Ruskin is an anthology consisting of a novella, essay, short fiction, and anecdotal tales. This collection in particular brings out the best work of Mr. Bond about small towns and the life there.
Mr. Bond is one of my comfort authors, whenever I want comfort in stories, I look forward to reading his works. This collection, in particular, is the one where the simplicity of the town gets entangled with the beauty of Mr. Bond's writing and of course, nature.
Consisting of 8 of his writings, this book covers a lot of issues that a small town deals with. On one hand, there is simple living, caring, and sharing and on the other hand, there are superstitions and political tactics.
Here are the short reviews of each of the write up:
"Cold Beer at Chutmalpur" showed how this small market town called Chutmalpur gave birth to a chain of thoughts, regarding the people there, of what they do to how the contribution of some significant people fades away with time.
The next two in this collection are a novella and an anecdotal tale, which I have read previously in the collection "The Girl On The Train" as well. "Time Stops at Shamli" talks about how when the author stopped at a small station in Shamli and lived at a hotel there changed something in him, and how the people there contributed to it while "Bus Stop, Pipalnagar" is about the people of Pipalnagar. How friendship, care, warmth, and affection are their qualities and how simple they are.
"A Village In Garhwal" shows us the glimpses, life, and the way of living of the people of Garhwal, one of India's most northerly regions. From the human-wildlife interaction to health facilities and how natural calamities affect their day-to-day life, it has so much in it in a few pages.
"Great Trees of Garhwal" talks more about the natural surroundings, trees, and their stories in detail. And when Mr. Bond writes about nature, it just creates magic, just like nature itself. From Deodars to Walnuts and Horse Chestnuts, it was a pleasure to read it.
"Voting at Barlowganj" shows how the politics and politicians are, especially at the time of the election, and how they differ when the election period ends. A subtle satire and carrying a lot of meaning in between the words and sentences, this story shows the ground reality.
"A Magic Oil" is a short fiction, telling how the oil which promises to increase sexual potency makes a way to increase the salary of the seller as well! A very short story, but enough to give moments to enjoy.
"The Story of Madhu" as the title suggests is about Madhu, a girl of around nine years. This story was the one that made me emotional, that has so much in it and so much left unsaid, so that the reader can feel it. A story I know I would not forget easily.
This was the collection that I will recommend to anyone who is looking forward to seeking comfort, and visiting the memories of the small towns. I will give it 4.2/5 stars.
I was provided a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Author: Ruskin Bond
Genre: Anthology
Publisher: Rupa Publication
Pages: 120
The Time In The Town by Ruskin is an anthology consisting of a novella, essay, short fiction, and anecdotal tales. This collection in particular brings out the best work of Mr. Bond about small towns and the life there.
Mr. Bond is one of my comfort authors, whenever I want comfort in stories, I look forward to reading his works. This collection, in particular, is the one where the simplicity of the town gets entangled with the beauty of Mr. Bond's writing and of course, nature.
Consisting of 8 of his writings, this book covers a lot of issues that a small town deals with. On one hand, there is simple living, caring, and sharing and on the other hand, there are superstitions and political tactics.
Here are the short reviews of each of the write up:
"Cold Beer at Chutmalpur" showed how this small market town called Chutmalpur gave birth to a chain of thoughts, regarding the people there, of what they do to how the contribution of some significant people fades away with time.
The next two in this collection are a novella and an anecdotal tale, which I have read previously in the collection "The Girl On The Train" as well. "Time Stops at Shamli" talks about how when the author stopped at a small station in Shamli and lived at a hotel there changed something in him, and how the people there contributed to it while "Bus Stop, Pipalnagar" is about the people of Pipalnagar. How friendship, care, warmth, and affection are their qualities and how simple they are.
"A Village In Garhwal" shows us the glimpses, life, and the way of living of the people of Garhwal, one of India's most northerly regions. From the human-wildlife interaction to health facilities and how natural calamities affect their day-to-day life, it has so much in it in a few pages.
"Great Trees of Garhwal" talks more about the natural surroundings, trees, and their stories in detail. And when Mr. Bond writes about nature, it just creates magic, just like nature itself. From Deodars to Walnuts and Horse Chestnuts, it was a pleasure to read it.
"Voting at Barlowganj" shows how the politics and politicians are, especially at the time of the election, and how they differ when the election period ends. A subtle satire and carrying a lot of meaning in between the words and sentences, this story shows the ground reality.
"A Magic Oil" is a short fiction, telling how the oil which promises to increase sexual potency makes a way to increase the salary of the seller as well! A very short story, but enough to give moments to enjoy.
"The Story of Madhu" as the title suggests is about Madhu, a girl of around nine years. This story was the one that made me emotional, that has so much in it and so much left unsaid, so that the reader can feel it. A story I know I would not forget easily.
This was the collection that I will recommend to anyone who is looking forward to seeking comfort, and visiting the memories of the small towns. I will give it 4.2/5 stars.
I was provided a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Book: Next Door Player
Author: Clarissa McKay
Genre: Romance
Format: E-book
Pages: 239
Next Door Player by Clarissa McKay is a sports romance book, although part of The Rebel Players series, and can be read as a standalone as I did. This is the story of Daria, a single mother who wants nothing more than happiness, peace, and safe space for her daughter, Elaine; and Caden, a famous football player, who wants someone with whom he can be himself and not be treated like a celebrity. And when Daria and Caden meet one day by chance in an elevator, as both living in the same building, and constantly running into each other occasionally, they become friends, and then friends with benefits! But what will happen when the limelight that comes with Caden will become an obstacle for them? To know what happens to them, read the book!
I loved reading the book. As a romance lover, it was a treat to read. It was my first sports romance book as far as I remember, and the focus here was much more on the consequences of being an athlete and how it affects people around them rather than just giving superficial details, which I appreciate and enjoyed. The characters were well-developed and you can see their growth with the story.
Apart from the steamy moments that you can expect to be there because of the cover which were not forced to be there but came naturally with the story, there were so many emotional moments, small but significant moments, that became the reason why I feel so connected with the book. The relationship of Caden with his Dad and Elaine, of Daria with Cody- her brother, and Tina and Bianca- her friends was a sight to see, giving so many heartwarming and real moments.
The backstory of both of the protagonists was shown with so much sensitivity and care, giving enough attention to show why they are doing things that people generally don't and in general the way they are. The supporting characters- Tina, Bianca, and Cody were given enough space and the way they were written made me fall in love with them!
Although I felt the cover did not justify how beautiful the story was, I loved the book and you should definitely try it, especially if you are a romance lover and do not have any problem with a few steamy scenes. I'll give it 4.55/5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Author: Clarissa McKay
Genre: Romance
Format: E-book
Pages: 239
Next Door Player by Clarissa McKay is a sports romance book, although part of The Rebel Players series, and can be read as a standalone as I did. This is the story of Daria, a single mother who wants nothing more than happiness, peace, and safe space for her daughter, Elaine; and Caden, a famous football player, who wants someone with whom he can be himself and not be treated like a celebrity. And when Daria and Caden meet one day by chance in an elevator, as both living in the same building, and constantly running into each other occasionally, they become friends, and then friends with benefits! But what will happen when the limelight that comes with Caden will become an obstacle for them? To know what happens to them, read the book!
I loved reading the book. As a romance lover, it was a treat to read. It was my first sports romance book as far as I remember, and the focus here was much more on the consequences of being an athlete and how it affects people around them rather than just giving superficial details, which I appreciate and enjoyed. The characters were well-developed and you can see their growth with the story.
Apart from the steamy moments that you can expect to be there because of the cover which were not forced to be there but came naturally with the story, there were so many emotional moments, small but significant moments, that became the reason why I feel so connected with the book. The relationship of Caden with his Dad and Elaine, of Daria with Cody- her brother, and Tina and Bianca- her friends was a sight to see, giving so many heartwarming and real moments.
The backstory of both of the protagonists was shown with so much sensitivity and care, giving enough attention to show why they are doing things that people generally don't and in general the way they are. The supporting characters- Tina, Bianca, and Cody were given enough space and the way they were written made me fall in love with them!
Although I felt the cover did not justify how beautiful the story was, I loved the book and you should definitely try it, especially if you are a romance lover and do not have any problem with a few steamy scenes. I'll give it 4.55/5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Book Review
Book: Evoked
Author: Mansi Babbar
Genre: Thriller/Mystery
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 228
Evoked: The Lavasa Incident by Mansi Babbar is a part of the Ravi Subramanian Presents series, which aims to provide " short, plot-oriented, fast-paced novellas that are the book equivalent of caffeine for an exhausted mind" and I completely agree with it for this book.
This is the story of Sevita and Sama, twin sisters who are exact opposites, the former being completely extroverted and popular, and the latter being an introvert and loner. But what will happen when one of them dies a sudden death? Will the truth be ever uncovered regarding this mystery? Will Inspector Mohite be able to solve this case? To know more, read the book.
I am someone who reads thrillers and mysteries once in a while and when I do, I want something to be fast-paced, creating the environment of suspense and thrill, maintaining the mystery, and keeping the strings of it very tight, and this book delivers it.
From the prologue itself, the author has created a scenario that was so interesting to let you keep reading. Because of the sustained fast pace throughout the book, it didn't occur for a second when the book started and when it was finished.
The plot was very well developed and even though the ending was predictable for me, it was surprising because of the way it was written. The plot is related to Mrs. Vyas was a little unrealistic and there could have been more about it and so does about the parenting.
It is my first read by the author, and I'm looking forward to reading more. It was a novella that could be easily finished in one sitting(just be aware of the trigger warnings mentioned below).
If you are someone who is looking forward to a short, crisp, fast-paced novella with a great build-up, check it out. I'll give it 4.2/5 stars.
(TW: Suicide, Murder, Animal Harm, Deception, Mental Manipulation)
I was provided a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review by @writersmelon
Book: Evoked
Author: Mansi Babbar
Genre: Thriller/Mystery
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 228
Evoked: The Lavasa Incident by Mansi Babbar is a part of the Ravi Subramanian Presents series, which aims to provide " short, plot-oriented, fast-paced novellas that are the book equivalent of caffeine for an exhausted mind" and I completely agree with it for this book.
This is the story of Sevita and Sama, twin sisters who are exact opposites, the former being completely extroverted and popular, and the latter being an introvert and loner. But what will happen when one of them dies a sudden death? Will the truth be ever uncovered regarding this mystery? Will Inspector Mohite be able to solve this case? To know more, read the book.
I am someone who reads thrillers and mysteries once in a while and when I do, I want something to be fast-paced, creating the environment of suspense and thrill, maintaining the mystery, and keeping the strings of it very tight, and this book delivers it.
From the prologue itself, the author has created a scenario that was so interesting to let you keep reading. Because of the sustained fast pace throughout the book, it didn't occur for a second when the book started and when it was finished.
The plot was very well developed and even though the ending was predictable for me, it was surprising because of the way it was written. The plot is related to Mrs. Vyas was a little unrealistic and there could have been more about it and so does about the parenting.
It is my first read by the author, and I'm looking forward to reading more. It was a novella that could be easily finished in one sitting(just be aware of the trigger warnings mentioned below).
If you are someone who is looking forward to a short, crisp, fast-paced novella with a great build-up, check it out. I'll give it 4.2/5 stars.
(TW: Suicide, Murder, Animal Harm, Deception, Mental Manipulation)
I was provided a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review by @writersmelon
Book: Rama Of The Axe
Author: Ranjith Radhakrishnan
Genre: Mythological Fiction
Publisher: Westland
Pages: 368
We all have heard about Parshurama somewhere or the other, like in Ram-Lakshman-Parshuramn Samvad (राम लक्ष्मण परशुराम संवाद), or because he is believed to be one of the Chiranjeevis (immortals). But somehow, we mostly saw him as a part of a story rather than of his own. And this mythological fiction, Rama Of The Axe by Ranjith Radhakrishnan shows us his story.
Ramabhadra, whom we know as Parshurama was the son of Jamadagni, a Saptarshi and Renuka, and carries a huge baggage of a prophecy. A prophecy that made him against Chakravarti Samrat Karthavirya Arjuna, who was once a great ruler, but with the advantages of boons and powers, became a reckless king and dictator. But what will happen when they collide? Read the book to know more.
Reading a book about someone whom I have heard a lot about, but in bits and pieces as an altogether complete story was a wonderful experience. The war sequences were written very well. The story was very intriguing from start to end and was able to hold the interest and suspense till the end.
I loved the character development of Ramabhadra and Arjuna but I wish there could have been more about the characters other than the lead ones, like Manorama, Renuka, Akrita, and Guru Dattatreya. Although there were moments of ups and downs with the writing, what kept it going was the interesting story.
If you are someone who is intrigued by the personality of Parshurama and wants to read about his story of becoming Parshurama from Ramabhadra, this fictional tale might be your next read. I'll give it 3.62/5 stars.
Author: Ranjith Radhakrishnan
Genre: Mythological Fiction
Publisher: Westland
Pages: 368
We all have heard about Parshurama somewhere or the other, like in Ram-Lakshman-Parshuramn Samvad (राम लक्ष्मण परशुराम संवाद), or because he is believed to be one of the Chiranjeevis (immortals). But somehow, we mostly saw him as a part of a story rather than of his own. And this mythological fiction, Rama Of The Axe by Ranjith Radhakrishnan shows us his story.
Ramabhadra, whom we know as Parshurama was the son of Jamadagni, a Saptarshi and Renuka, and carries a huge baggage of a prophecy. A prophecy that made him against Chakravarti Samrat Karthavirya Arjuna, who was once a great ruler, but with the advantages of boons and powers, became a reckless king and dictator. But what will happen when they collide? Read the book to know more.
Reading a book about someone whom I have heard a lot about, but in bits and pieces as an altogether complete story was a wonderful experience. The war sequences were written very well. The story was very intriguing from start to end and was able to hold the interest and suspense till the end.
I loved the character development of Ramabhadra and Arjuna but I wish there could have been more about the characters other than the lead ones, like Manorama, Renuka, Akrita, and Guru Dattatreya. Although there were moments of ups and downs with the writing, what kept it going was the interesting story.
If you are someone who is intrigued by the personality of Parshurama and wants to read about his story of becoming Parshurama from Ramabhadra, this fictional tale might be your next read. I'll give it 3.62/5 stars.
Short, simple, enjoyable and comfortable read. The narrators were amazing and enjoyed listening to it.
Book: Shurjo's Clan
Author: Iffat Nawaz
Genre: Literary Fiction
Publisher: Penguin India
Pages: 254
Shurjo's Clan by Iffat Nawaz is a literary fiction that blends the genre of contemporary fiction and magical realism beautifully. I haven't read magical realism before I was skeptical about the same because I wasn't sure about how that is going to work. But if this genre is going to be as good as it was in this book, I'm up for it anytime!
This is the story of Shurjomukhi's family, who lives in Dhaka, but at a home that looks different in the absence of light. In the daytime, it's like any other house and family, but at night, the family is joined by her uncles- Shoku and Bhiku, who lost their lives in the Bangladesh liberation war in 1971, and her maternal grandmother - Shantori. And this forms an asymmetrical house and the secret of an Unknown world. What follows up next is the tale of war, separation, migration, death, inherited grief, love, and longing. Read the book to know more.
The book is divided into three parts, and each part has its different essence. The writing of the book is simple and easy to read, but the emotions they carry are heavy and will take time to get out of them. I put down that book for weeks after reading the first part, and when I finished the second, I was almost at the same junction. But I decided to go ahead and let it tear me into parts at once. But after the heaviness of parts one and two, part three came as a healer. Talking more about it would be a spoiler, but I would say that part three came as a ray of sunshine amidst all the dullness, and thank you, dear author, for writing this.
This book is not the story of Shurjo only, but it is as much as of her parents - Babu and Bela, her uncles- Shoku and Bhiku, her paternal grandmother - Shantori, and the flute player. And each of them leaves an impact in their own way, especially Shantori.
The essence of the book lies in its nuances, in its minor details! From representing each part with different images - fireflies, butterflies, and sunflowers, as all is shown on the cover, to the poems and lines of Rabindranath Tagore, Shukanto, and others, it makes you read the lines again and again, to make you understand their meaning each time with more deepness, with more fondness, with more emotions.
This was my first read about Bangladesh Liberation War as well, and I want to explore more literature about it now. This book is definitely among my favorite reads of this year. And I took as much time as I could to read it. I know the book was slow-paced, but I didn't expect it to be any other way as well.
And I feel that everyone should read this book, no matter if you are into this genre or not, no matter if you are begginer or an avid reader, no matter if you have read on this topic before or not, read this book. Read it to be more close to human emotions, to be more close to yourself. I'll give it 5/5 stars.
Author: Iffat Nawaz
Genre: Literary Fiction
Publisher: Penguin India
Pages: 254
Shurjo's Clan by Iffat Nawaz is a literary fiction that blends the genre of contemporary fiction and magical realism beautifully. I haven't read magical realism before I was skeptical about the same because I wasn't sure about how that is going to work. But if this genre is going to be as good as it was in this book, I'm up for it anytime!
This is the story of Shurjomukhi's family, who lives in Dhaka, but at a home that looks different in the absence of light. In the daytime, it's like any other house and family, but at night, the family is joined by her uncles- Shoku and Bhiku, who lost their lives in the Bangladesh liberation war in 1971, and her maternal grandmother - Shantori. And this forms an asymmetrical house and the secret of an Unknown world. What follows up next is the tale of war, separation, migration, death, inherited grief, love, and longing. Read the book to know more.
The book is divided into three parts, and each part has its different essence. The writing of the book is simple and easy to read, but the emotions they carry are heavy and will take time to get out of them. I put down that book for weeks after reading the first part, and when I finished the second, I was almost at the same junction. But I decided to go ahead and let it tear me into parts at once. But after the heaviness of parts one and two, part three came as a healer. Talking more about it would be a spoiler, but I would say that part three came as a ray of sunshine amidst all the dullness, and thank you, dear author, for writing this.
This book is not the story of Shurjo only, but it is as much as of her parents - Babu and Bela, her uncles- Shoku and Bhiku, her paternal grandmother - Shantori, and the flute player. And each of them leaves an impact in their own way, especially Shantori.
The essence of the book lies in its nuances, in its minor details! From representing each part with different images - fireflies, butterflies, and sunflowers, as all is shown on the cover, to the poems and lines of Rabindranath Tagore, Shukanto, and others, it makes you read the lines again and again, to make you understand their meaning each time with more deepness, with more fondness, with more emotions.
This was my first read about Bangladesh Liberation War as well, and I want to explore more literature about it now. This book is definitely among my favorite reads of this year. And I took as much time as I could to read it. I know the book was slow-paced, but I didn't expect it to be any other way as well.
And I feel that everyone should read this book, no matter if you are into this genre or not, no matter if you are begginer or an avid reader, no matter if you have read on this topic before or not, read this book. Read it to be more close to human emotions, to be more close to yourself. I'll give it 5/5 stars.
Book: One Night Only
Author: Saumyaa Vohra
Genre: Contemporary Fiction/ Romance
Publisher: Pan Macmillan India
Pages: 288
One Night Only by Saumyaa Vohra is the story of four friends - Rubani, Natasha, Saira, and Faiza. When Rubani's long-term boyfriend Kabir dumped her, she was devastated, and to make her feel buoyant again, the friends decided to go on a Goa vacation, a plan which was long due. A vacation that brings a lot of changes, in their life, their emotions, and their relationships. Read the book to know their journey.
As a debut novel, the author did a great job. After reading the blurb of the book, I thought for a moment that this book is similar to the series "Four More Shots Please", but I'm so glad it wasn't and it is much much better than the show.
The book explored the theme of friendship in detail. From love, care, insecurities, secrets, and support, it has everything. The author covered the themes of one night stand, open relationships, sexuality, commitment, and pleasure throughout the character's story thoroughly.
I enjoyed the banter between the friends and the serious discussion that had so many perspectives and experiences in it. The book shows how friendships are in real life, having insecurities, tension, jealousy, fights, envy, and everything you can imagine, breaking the image of how we see friendships in social media or movies.
Faiza's and Saira's characters are the characters that are going to stay with me for a long time and have a lot of potential, and I wanted to see more of them.
I just felt that in between all the topics and themes the author covered, the story and emotions took the backseat. It felt like the themes were driving the story rather than the story itself, which made me feel a little disconnected from the book. This book has its moments of ups and downs for me. Go for it and check out how it works for you. I'll give it 3.5/5 stars.
Author: Saumyaa Vohra
Genre: Contemporary Fiction/ Romance
Publisher: Pan Macmillan India
Pages: 288
One Night Only by Saumyaa Vohra is the story of four friends - Rubani, Natasha, Saira, and Faiza. When Rubani's long-term boyfriend Kabir dumped her, she was devastated, and to make her feel buoyant again, the friends decided to go on a Goa vacation, a plan which was long due. A vacation that brings a lot of changes, in their life, their emotions, and their relationships. Read the book to know their journey.
As a debut novel, the author did a great job. After reading the blurb of the book, I thought for a moment that this book is similar to the series "Four More Shots Please", but I'm so glad it wasn't and it is much much better than the show.
The book explored the theme of friendship in detail. From love, care, insecurities, secrets, and support, it has everything. The author covered the themes of one night stand, open relationships, sexuality, commitment, and pleasure throughout the character's story thoroughly.
I enjoyed the banter between the friends and the serious discussion that had so many perspectives and experiences in it. The book shows how friendships are in real life, having insecurities, tension, jealousy, fights, envy, and everything you can imagine, breaking the image of how we see friendships in social media or movies.
Faiza's and Saira's characters are the characters that are going to stay with me for a long time and have a lot of potential, and I wanted to see more of them.
I just felt that in between all the topics and themes the author covered, the story and emotions took the backseat. It felt like the themes were driving the story rather than the story itself, which made me feel a little disconnected from the book. This book has its moments of ups and downs for me. Go for it and check out how it works for you. I'll give it 3.5/5 stars.
The book beautifully depicts how family impacts a child. The support, care, and warmth from the family and people you are surrounded with goes a long way. The festivals as a means to build up the confidence of a child was a great way. The love and care for a pet, and thus extending it for animals in general, the teamwork, the confidence building, the harmony, and secularism, overcoming stage fear, and finding out talent, this book shows that it is such a great way. Either directly or indirectly, sometimes on the face or sometimes subtly, this book reflects a great message and larger cause. The illustrations are stunning. A great Children's Book!