jainandsdiary's Reviews (310)


Just know that true happiness lies in being yourself. You cannot put on a mask forever.
-Arthy S L, Fate or Destiny

BOOK REVIEW
Book: Fate or destiny, let the journey begins
Author: Arthy S L @arthi.lokanathan
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Pages: 222
Rating: 4.3/5

Fate or destiny by Arthy S L is a romantic suspense story of around 222 words. The story is about the main protagonist Kavin, who is a tourist guide from Port Blair, Andaman who lives with his brother Kiran.
Because of his traumatic past, he is dealing with Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Parasomnia, and Aquaphobia. I won't talk much about what the story is about, you can read the synopsis, right.

The book is written beautifully. Honestly saying, the book was much better than my expectations. The characters are represented elegantly and it was beautifully shown how to accept our flaws. Maybe at some point, you may feel like you are changing for a good not because of you but for someone else but at some point, you will find that it was just a mirage and at that point, you will realize your actual worth. And I love how it is shown in the book, not directly but hidden in the story. The story continues with its own beauty.

Although at some point when the story progresses, I have a fear that the story will be repetitive and will lose its charm, but no, I was so wrong. The author has penned down it gorgeously. Each and everything, every string of the story is sewn gracefully.

I don't know that if you have read much romantic suspense then you will like it or not, but if you are a beginner in the genre, romantic suspense, like me, you will enjoy it. I will definitely recommend it to beginners. The language is easy as well so it would not cause any hindrance as well.

Some books make your heart weep for long
Some books make you long for your loved ones
Some books make you ponder on a topic
Some books make you laugh so loud
Some books make you fly in the cloud
Some books make you a little more braver.
Some books just live with you forever

And what if you get all of them in one book, sorry, one story, of around 10 pages!!!

The frozen leaf by Vanshika Gupta is a short story of around 10-11 pages but it is so heartwarming, heartfelt, and heartbreaking at the same time. It was cute, impacting, and long-lasting. I know I am ranting about this, but I can't help. It was so nostalgic.

I haven't expected that this short, literally this short book can make me so emotional. Vanshika's writing is so raw, so pure, so adorable. I don't want to talk about what the story is about because it is so short that talking about it would be a spoiler itself I feel (the actual reason why I am not talking about it is that if I will start, I will only give a spoiler, so better I keep my mouth shut).

I will recommend this book to everyone. Beginner or avid reader, whoever you are, just read this!!!!

Without any doubt, it was 5/5 star for me.

Vanshika, more power, love, and hugs towards you ❤️

Book: Til Death We Do Part
Author: Bruno Beaches
Genre: Romance
Pages: 309
Rating: 3/5

Til Death We Do Part by Bruno Beaches is a Romance novel of around 309 pages. The main protagonists of the story are Pablo and Delilah. Pablo is an upstanding police officer and Deliah is his wife. He is close to retirement and enjoying his duty as well as celebrating his marriage, things started going against him suddenly. His old client has filed an FIR against him which has had no direct relationship with his marriage but things started becoming worse with each passing day. To know what happened with the main protagonist and how the story progresses, do read the book.

The book was very detailed in terms of the feelings of the main protagonist, Pablo. It described his emotions in much detail with the explanation. The book shows how many times, people use the laws for their benefit and shows how things and processes work in government institutions deeply. Also, the friendship and sense of belonging towards friends are shown beautifully. The language of the book is easy and so it was effortless in that sense.

But for me, the book was very slow. It progresses very slowly and at times in between, it was very challenging to go ahead. That’s why it took me so much time to finish it. I have had read many books along with this book so that the slowness in between does not take away the real interest from the story.

Also, if the psychology and point of view of Deliah his wife, and Cassie, the one who filed a complaint against Pablo had been shown a little more, it would have been better because, without that, it was difficult to understand their actions. Also, the ending was not something that I was expecting because it was quite contrary to everything that has been shown throughout the story.

Overall, it is an interesting book with a lot of character details but it is slow. So if you are someone who wants to read a book that shows the details of the main protagonist, you can go with it but if you are someone who can’t tolerate the slowness in the story, then I will suggest you pass it.

Book: Death of a District Magistrate
Author: Narasimhan Eswar a.k.a. Nachi
Pages: 278
Genre: Crime Fiction/Thriller
Rating: 4/5

Death of a District Magistrate by Nachi is crime fiction, suspense thriller book. I am a little new to thrillers and don't read many thrillers generally but this one really excited me and let me tell you at the beginning itself that it didn't disappoint me even a little bit!

The story is about DSP Arjun Iyer, a master in solving criminal cases(on the ground and not on paper). He got a case of "death of a district magistrate" - Govind Pratap. It was reported as a suicide but was it really suicide or a murder? How will Arjun solve this case? To know how he solved the case or was he even able to solve it, read the book!

The book is written elegantly and has a perfect setting for the theme and plot. Almost all the family members and relatives are the prime suspect and each of them has a reason and background story for it.

I liked the character of Munuswamy the most, he is the assistant of Arjun at work. Munuswamy aka Munu as a friend of DSP Arjun Iyer is a friend we all need. A friend who takes care of us in our down even when we refuse to seek help.

Although my inner instinct to predict the ending was correct but it doesn't mean it is not written well.

The writing style of the author is brilliant and is enough to keep the readers at edge till the end. As a debut book, the author has done a brilliant job and I am really excited to read more books by the author!

I will recommend this book to all those who are looking for reading crime fiction, and suspense thrillers, in the Indian setting. If you are an avid reader in this genre, you might be able to predict its ending, I accept but the way it is written and how things unfold is its strength. If you are a beginner like me, you will enjoy it as much as I did for sure.

Book: Long Run: A Paradise Augmented
Author: T. Sathish
Format: Kindle
Pages: 200
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: 3/5

Long Run: A Paradise Augmented is a contemporary romance fiction by author T. Sathish of around 200 pages. The main protagonist of the story is Raghu, a boy who dreams big and achieves them. From getting the desired college to getting the job he wanted, from working hard on a research paper to getting a luxurious life, he is eager to get the things he wants and he achieves them as well. But suddenly one day, his car crashes horrifically and he lost his sight! Will he be able to achieve his previous position and life back without his eyesight and will be able to get back into the relationships he was in with his loved ones whom he ignored when he was at the pinnacle? To know what happens next with him, read the book!

The book is written in different timelines and keeps shifting back and forth in the different life phases of the protagonist. Although in the starting, it feels a little odd and confusing, with time, it becomes the specialty of the book which gives it a different texture and holds the interest of the reader.

The writing style and language of the book are simple and thus, make it an easy read. There are some fun moments and punchlines in between the story which gives it a little humorous touch and makes the reading experience good.

The character that I loved the most in this story without any doubt is Ram, Raghu’s friend. He is simple, grounded, practical, and that one friend we all need, one who is harsh or bitter but gives true reality checks and breaks all the illusioned bubbles that are created by us. I totally loved his character, as it is something which we all can relate with.

But because the main protagonist belongs to an investment and financial field background, the major portion of the book has technicalities. Although it helps in getting to know the character more, it sometimes causes hindrance and if you are looking for a complete character, story, relationship, guidance, or life lesson driven story, it might leave you a little unsatisfied as the technicalities will come in between. Some scenes for which the background was built from the starting itself seem underwhelming to me when they come and I felt that if the emotions and point of view of Anuradha (aka Anu) and Ram have been there, it could have been great. Also, I felt that the ending was a little rushed and hurried and should have given more time.

Although the book definitely has inspiration and motivation factors, for me, the book worked because of how friendship has been shown here and I will remember this book because of this.

Book: Shuttler's Flick
Author: Pullela Gopichand with Priya Kumar
Genre: Autobiography/Motivation
Pages: 359
Rating: 4/5

To all the fans and followers of badminton and sports, Pullela Gopichand needs no introduction. A great player, a great coach, and a great personality, Gopichand is a hero for many. Being a follower of badminton myself, this book was such a delight to read. It is not like any other autobiography where the story of the personality goes on and not like any motivational book where there is only information and situations which helps to be motivated. This book is a perfect blend of both the genres, autobiography, and motivation.

At the start of each chapter, there is a general point of view and discussion type writing whose strings are attached to the life of Gopichand but will help everyone, it doesn't matter if they belong to the sports field or not. After it, Gopichand's story in his own words is there which is the highlight of the book that I liked and connected with the most. Then in some chapters are writing and the points of view of personalities related to Gopichand, like his parents and his students.

There are many life learning lessons there in the book, especially for students. As a student myself, I connected and find the answers to so many things in the book which honestly I was not expecting. I highlighted so many portions of this book, and it was all worth it. Although in the starting, the writing with which the chapters started looked a little preachy to me, as the book progressed and came into the middle, it changed. It became more practical, personal, and precise, which contained till the end and that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Also, the cover of the book is gorgeous and Mridu Agarwal has done a commendable job.

I will recommend this book not only to the fans of badminton and sports or the ones who want to know about Pullela Gopichand but to the students as well because there are so many things which can be learned and applied to daily life.