My Book Reviews

Category: Romance

This category contains any posts published in reference to books of Children’s Fiction genre.

Because Its Love by Kishore Nanda

Because Its Love by Kishore Nanda
Release: May 14th 2019
Format: EBook
Publisher: Notion Press
Source: Author

Because Its Love Synopsis:

Family
Abhiram, a HIV infected old man, is abandoned by his family due to fear of the infection spreading to them. Broken, Abhiram adopts Devika, a prostitute, Adithya, a gay man and Karthik, a mentally retarded child. They become one family, breaking all the rules of society.

Friendship
Karan, a money–chaser and believer of time is money, finds out that he is about to die at any moment due to his intestine cancer. He becomes friends with an 11-year-old blind boy, Aryan. He changes Karan’s life, becomes his wingman to help him find love and teaches him about the real meaning of time.

Romantic
Aarav, a book author, is in the quest of a dying girl to become part of his manipulative marketing strategy. When he finds Ananya, a cancer patient, he learns about the true meaning of happiness.

Canophilia
Rajesh, a hedonist, finds a missing dog and she teaches him the real values of a relationship.

Review:

Watch my video review of Because Its Love by Kishore Nanda

[embedyt] https://youtu.be/DsvrNaJuBio[/embedyt]

I received an e-copy of this book from the author in exchange for my review and opinion and to be honest, I really liked it. As a debut novel, I think the author has done a wonderful job. The dialogue is a bit rusty and could use improvements here and there, but it is told in a very simple, straight forward, easy to read manner. Even those who do not like to read, or are slow readers, could pick this up and enjoy reading it. Moreover, I liked how the author touched on various issues that is still considered taboo in our Indian society today. He has mentioned cases of HIV, prostitution, homosexuality, and cancer and how people deal with them realistically.

There are a few minor things that the author could have handed better. Firstly, I felt like the timelines were disorienting between the various stories. I also felt like a few stories ended in an open ended manner without any closure. Thirdly, there were a quite a lot of repetitions in the dialogue that could have been avoided. But, overall, this is a nice, easy to read story and I would give it a rating of 4/5 stars.

September 1, 2019
Heaven (Casteel #1) by V.C. Andrews

Heaven (Casteel #1) by V.C. Andrews
Release: November 1st 1990
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Pocket Books
Source: Second Hand Bookstore

Heaven Synopsis:

Of all the folks in the mountain shacks, the Casteels were the lowest — the scum of the hills.
Heaven Leigh Casteel was the prettiest, smartest girl in the backwoods, despite her ragged clothes and dirty face…despite a father meaner than ten vipers…despite her weary stepmother, who worked her like a mule. For her brother Tom and the little ones, Heaven clung to her pride and her hopes. Someday they’d get away and show the world that they were decent, fine and talented — worthy of love and respect.
Then Heaven’s stepmother ran off, and her wicked, greedy father had a scheme — a vicious scheme that threatened to destroy the precious dream of Heaven and the children forever!

Review:

Watch my video review of Heaven by V.C. Andrews

[embedyt] https://youtu.be/wOK3Su0boGE[/embedyt]

I love reading soap-opera styled family sagas and it is one of my guilty pleasures. VC Andrews writes pretty trashy, but very gripping novels which I enjoy. “Heaven” was a fun read as it has some very scandalous events that even readers of today would find shocking. There are some shocking moments like when Sarah gives birth to the baby and when Kitty abuses Heaven in the bathtub. Moreover, I loved Heaven as a protagonist. Even though she comes from a poor family, she is ambitious and level headed and still supports her family. The author has also written the characters very well, as I really didn’t how Kitty would react since she is so unstable.

However, the only thing which I thought could have been better was the pacing. This book is so slow at times where you feel like nothing happens. Overall, Heaven is a nice book to read, if you enjoy the classic VC Andrews style of writing of a family saga with incestuous relationships and shocking scandals.

August 16, 2019
Paper Towns by John Green

Paper Towns by John Green
Release: October 16th 2008
Format: Kindle
Publisher: Speak
Source: Amazon

Paper Towns Synopsis:

Quentin Jacobsen has spent a lifetime loving the magnificently adventurous Margo Roth Spiegelman from afar. So when she cracks open a window and climbs into his life—dressed like a ninja and summoning him for an ingenious campaign of revenge—he follows. After their all-nighter ends, and a new day breaks, Q arrives at school to discover that Margo, always an enigma, has now become a mystery. But Q soon learns that there are clues—and they’re for him. Urged down a disconnected path, the closer he gets, the less Q sees the girl he thought he knew…

Review:

Watch my video review of Paper Towns by John Green

[embedyt] https://youtu.be/1nR4wtSsK0s[/embedyt]

I enjoyed reading Paper Towns. Firstly, the story is very unique and interesting and there is never a dull moment. Surprisingly, what stood out for me was how the story depicts the perception of a character rather than the character themselves. Another thing that I enjoyed was how Quentin learns more about himself while he is on his quest to find Margo. Even though it is bittersweet towards the end, I still enjoyed Quentin’s journey. However, I really did not like Margo as I thought the was very unrealistic and self-centered. Overall, while this is not as good as Turtles all the way down, I did enjoy reading it.

August 16, 2019
Shatter Me (Shatter Me #1) by Tahereh Mafi

Shatter Me (Shatter Me #1) by Tahereh Mafi
Release: November 15th 2011
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Harper
Source: Amazon

Shatter Me Synopsis:

̶I̶ ̶h̶a̶v̶e̶ ̶a̶ ̶c̶u̶r̶s̶e̶
I have a gift

̶I̶ ̶a̶m̶ ̶a̶ ̶m̶o̶n̶s̶t̶e̶r̶
I’m more than human

̶M̶y̶ ̶t̶o̶u̶c̶h̶ ̶i̶s̶ ̶l̶e̶t̶h̶a̶l̶
My touch is power

̶I̶ ̶a̶m̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶i̶r̶ ̶w̶e̶a̶p̶o̶n̶
I will fight back

Juliette hasn’t touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal. As long as she doesn’t hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don’t fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war – and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she’s exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

Review:

Watch my video review of Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

[embedyt] https://youtu.be/TDCXW-d7ah8[/embedyt]

The main thing I liked about the story is Warner. He is somewhat psychotic and commanding, but he also has a certain charm and has a fan boy quality towards Juliette. The story is also very fast paced where things happen one after the other. However, there are two main things which I disliked about the story. Firstly, it is the insta love between Juliette and Adam. Secondly, it is Juliette’s personality and not being a strong main character. Overall, “Shatter Me” has a decent plot, and the world building is decent, but the character development is awful.

August 14, 2019
Spin the Dawn (The Blood of Stars #1) by Elizabeth Lim

Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim
Release: July 9th 2019
Format: Kindle
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Source: Amazon

Spin the Dawn Synopsis:

Project Runway meets Mulan in this sweeping YA fantasy about a young girl who poses as a boy to compete for the role of imperial tailor and embarks on an impossible journey to sew three magic dresses, from the sun, the moon, and the stars.

Maia Tamarin dreams of becoming the greatest tailor in the land. However, as a girl, the best she can hope for is to marry well. When a royal messenger summons her ailing father, once a tailor of renown, to court, Maia poses as a boy and takes his place. She knows her life is forfeit if her secret is discovered, but she’ll take that risk to achieve her dream and save her family from ruin. There’s just one catch: Maia is one of twelve tailors vying for the job.

Backstabbing and lies run rampant as the tailors compete in challenges to prove their artistry and skill. Maia’s task is further complicated when she draws the attention of the court magician, Edan. Edan’s piercing eyes seem to see straight through her disguise.

And nothing could have prepared her for the final challenge. This is to sew three magic gowns for the emperor’s reluctant bride-to-be. Moreover, it has to be from the laughter of the sun, the tears of the moon, and the blood of stars. With this impossible task before her, she embarks on a journey to the far reaches of the kingdom, seeking the sun, the moon, and the stars, and finding more than she ever could have imagined.

Steeped in Chinese culture, sizzling with forbidden romance, and shimmering with magic, this young adult fantasy is pitch-perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas or Renée Ahdieh.

Review:

Watch my video review of Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim!

[embedyt]https://youtu.be/H7vP8UmTz9A[/embedyt]

I initially picked up this book because I loved the cover design and the blurb sounded interesting. However, even the book cover doesn’t do justice as the story is so amazing! Maia is a great role model and does her best to provide for her family. Additionally, the world building is out of the world and I love the quests that she endures. Overall, simply loved reading this one and I cannot wait for Book 2 in the series

August 2, 2019
The One You Cannot Have by Preeti Shenoy

The One You Cannot Have by Preeti Shenoy
Release: November 2013
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Westland
Source: Amazon

The One You Cannot Have Synopsis:

How long does it take to heal a broken heart? Can you ever forget that one perfect relationship you had? Anjali knows who she wants, she wants Aman. Aman too knows who he wants, he wants Shruti. Shruti and Aman were once inseparable. Theirs was a love that would last forever and more. Then, out of the blue, Shruti left Aman. A devastated Aman moved abroad in the hope of forgetting Shruti and to heal. Shruti married Rishabh. Now Aman is back in India and looking for a fresh start. But he is still haunted by memories of his love. Can he ever break free from it? His head tells him to move on, to find love with Anjali, but his heart wont listen. No matter what he does, Shrutis shadow looms large. Can there be a happily-ever-after for any of them? A straight-from-the-heart modern-day romance of unrequited love, of complicated relationships and about moving on when you realise that there will always be the one you cannot have.

Review:

Watch my video review of The One You Cannot Have by Preeti Shenoy!

[embedyt]https://youtu.be/Fv-vmwHT3OQ[/embedyt]

This book was not as good as “The Secret Wish List” or “A hundred little flames”. However, it was not as bad as “The Rule Breakers”. There were a few interesting things about the story like how the author shows how tough it is to make decisions. Moreover, I also liked the love triangle that was happening. But, I still could not care much for the characters individually. Also, the author tends to be very repetitive with the character’s dialogues. Overall, this was an average read.

August 2, 2019
Every Breath by Nicholas Sparks

Every Breath by Nicholas Sparks
Release: October 16th 2018
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Source: Amazon

Every Breath Synopsis:

Hope Anderson is at a crossroads. At thirty-six, she’s been dating her boyfriend, an orthopedic surgeon, for six years. With no wedding plans in sight, she decides to use a week at her family’s cottage. She goes to Sunset Beach, North Carolina, to ready the house for sale and mull over some difficult decisions about her future.

Tru Walls is summoned to Sunset Beach by a letter from a man claiming to be his father. Born and raised in Zimbabwe, Tru hopes to unravel some of the mysteries surrounding his mother’s early life. When the two strangers cross paths, their connection is as electric as it is unfathomable . But in the immersive days that follow, their feelings for each other will give way to choices that pit family duty against personal happiness in devastating ways.

Review:

Watch my video review of Every Breath by Nicholas Sparks!

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTVzi3s1eIM[/embedyt]

I am not a big Nicolas Sparks fan, but I have read a few of his novels like “The Notebook” and “A walk to remember”. I remember loving both those books as well as the movie renditions. So, I had high expectations about “Every Breath”. However, after completing it, I ended up with mixed feelings about it.

The main thing I enjoyed about the story was its simplicity. The setting takes place in a quaint, scenic Beach and focuses only on the protagonists falling in love. The story is actually very simple and is nothing unique, and you would think it would be boring. But the author has written it in such a powerful and emotional manner that you hang on to every word. Nicholas Sparks truly has a gift for making even a simple story so interesting and keeping the reader invested.

I also loved the introduction from the author saying that this story was based on true events. It made me feel like I could connect to the characters at a more personal level and empathize with him. In fact, while reading this book, I wanted to go visit North Carolina and read all the letters kept at Kindred Spirit. In addition to the beach, I also loved how the author describes South Africa, and pictures the beautiful landscapes of the Safari, and still manages to show how different the life is there.

The main thing I disliked about this novel was the insta-love. I can believe that Tru and Hope to be infatuated with each other, but I couldn’t imagine them falling instantly in love. But it is hard to believe that Tru gets this undying strong love to be with Hope, even when they are not together for a long period of time, when he only spent 2 days with her.

Secondly, I felt the timeline could have written in a better manner. For most of the book, the story takes place when Tru and Hope meet at the beach. But then, the story-line just rushes past many years and again stops by a weekend when we see them. For some reason, this disconnected me from the characters and their romance, because I felt i knew only bits and pieces of them.

Thirdly, I did not really like the decisions Hope makes about her future and what she wants. I know there has to be drama in the book to make it interesting. But it shouldn’t be done on the core feelings of the character’s feelings for each other, as it spoils the romance. It made me feel like she was too selfish and put her own happiness ahead of Tru, because of his inability to bear a child.

Overall, “Every Breath” had some nice, emotional parts here and there, but it lacked something from making it memorable. The only reason why I enjoyed reading it was because of Spark’s powerful style of writing, more than the content.

June 15, 2019
The Me I Meant to Be by Sophie Jordan

The Me I Meant to Be by Sophie Jordan
Release: January 1, 2019
Format: Ebook
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Source: Amazon

The Me I Meant To Be Synopsis:

Girl Code: Never date a friend’s ex.

Willa Evans has no intention of breaking the code. So what if she’s always secretly loved her next-door neighbor Zach? As her best friend’s boyfriend, he was always off-limits and it needs to stay that way, even though they just broke up. Even though every time she turns around he’s there, tempting her…

No keeping secrets from your bestie.

Flor Hidalgo has a lot on her plate: her breakup with Zach, her dad’s new dating life, and her struggling grades. So why can’t she stop thinking about her hot, know-it-all tutor? At least she’s got Willa, her constant in the chaos.

Breaking the code breaks friendships.

Two friends find themselves tempted by love that defies the rules in this steamy romance perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Simone Elkeles.

Review:

Watch my video review of The Me I Meant To Be by Sophie Jordan!

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sk4fM0ZHLDY[/embedyt]

Honestly, I had a lot of fun reading this book. It is your typical teenage, contemporary, romance novel with quite a few twists and turns here and there. Willa and Flor are prominent main characters, and they have their own distinctive personalities and it was interesting to see how the plot progresses from their perspective.

The author has also done a nice job in building the chemistry and maintaining the romance between the characters. I particularly liked Flor and Grayson’s relationship more than Willa and Zach. While I liked Willa more as a character, I didn’t really like her relationship with Zach because I thought he was a player and I really could not believe him when he said that he had genuine feelings for her. On the other hand, I really liked Flor and Grayson together. Even though he has a weird secret identity, I found it interesting and quirky and different from things we usually read.

However, I felt that the author could have added a more details to a few things. The main one being that we really don’t get to know more about Grayson and Zach and what issues they have to behave the way they do. Especially Grayson, as he seems to be a very mysterious and interesting character, but we really don’t get to learn anything about him. In the same way I could not understand how Willa and Flor were besties. They seem like complete polar opposites who would not fit into each other’s social circles. Also, I felt that Willa’s sister was completely unnecessary who did not add anything to the plot.

However, apart from all this, the plot was fast and interesting. What I particularly enjoyed about this story is that it shows how people make mistakes, and there is no right or wrong in a situation and it depends on a person’s perspective. I also liked how the author realistically shows how the girls handle their friendship when put to the test.

Overall, “The Me I meant to be” is a breezy read with fun characters and interesting situations. I would give it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

February 24, 2019
Everless (Everless #1) by Sara Holland
Everless by Sara Holland
Release: January 2, 2018
Format: Ebook
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Amazon

Everless Synopsis:

In the kingdom of Sempera, time is currency—extracted from blood, bound to iron, and consumed to add time to one’s own lifespan. The rich aristocracy, like the Gerlings, tax the poor to the hilt, extending their own lives by centuries.

No one resents the Gerlings more than Jules Ember. A decade ago, she and her father were servants at Everless, the Gerlings’ palatial estate, until a fateful accident forced them to flee in the dead of night. When Jules discovers that her father is dying, she knows that she must return to Everless to earn more time for him before she loses him forever.

But going back to Everless brings more danger—and temptation—than Jules could have ever imagined. Soon she’s caught in a tangle of violent secrets and finds her heart torn between two people she thought she’d never see again. Her decisions have the power to change her fate—and the fate of time itself.

Review:

Watch my video review of Everless by Sara Holland!

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hB0lSgX2hsw[/embedyt]

I loved this book! Everything from the cover design to the last page was just perfect. There are so many things going on in this novel that I could not put it down.

Firstly, I loved the whole concept about time being money. The fact that you can bleed time from yourself and exchange it for goods and services itself sounds very intriguing. The author has designed the world so intricately, whether it is Crofton or Everless. You have a clear structure of how people live, and how the people give up their time to feed their children, while the rich waste it on frivolous things. It sounds unbelievable, and yet we can relate it to our present world.

Secondly, there are so many plot twists that come out of nowhere. While the story is gripping from the start, I found it becoming intense when Jules vows vengeance for her father and tries to get closer to the Queen to find out the truth. Each chapter has a shocking reveal, or a twist and turn that makes you want to turn the page and find out what happens next. Some of the most memorable parts for me in the book where:
- When Jules meets Rinn in Briarsmoor to find out the truth about what happened there
- When Jules, Ina and Caro go to the hedge witch to learn about their past
- The climax when we find out what is happening
Coming to the characters, Jules is a wonderful protagonist who is very complex and interesting to read. At some parts, she shows her bravery and fearlessness, whereas in other parts she shows how naive and gullible she can be, which gets her into a lot of trouble. She is the perfect role model and heroine for such kind of novels. I also liked the fact that the story did not divert and focus primarily on Jules’s love interest. It is nice to read her infatuation with Roan and her chemistry with Liam without becoming a teen, angst love relationship. Even the supporting characters are very memorable and my favorite characters are Ina and Liam. Even the villain is so memorable and devious that I cannot wait to pick up the next book.

Sara Holland has done a wonderful job in this novel, covering so many things like revenge, deception, love, magic etc. Overall, I loved reading Eveless and would give it a rating of 5/5 stars.
February 24, 2019
The Girl in Room 105 by Chetan Bhagat

The Girl in Room 105 by Chetan Bhagat
Release: October 9, 2018
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Westland
Source: Amazon

Girl in Room 105 Synopsis:

Hi, I’m Keshav, and my life is screwed. I hate my job and my girlfriend left me. Ah, the beautiful Zara. Zara is from Kashmir. She is a Muslim. And did I tell you my family is a bit, well, traditional? Anyway, leave that.

Zara and I broke up four years ago. She moved on in life. I didn’t. I drank every night to forget her. Also I called, messaged, and stalked her on social media. She just ignored me.

However, that night, on the eve of her birthday, Zara messaged me. She called me over, like old times, to her hostel room 105. I shouldn’t have gone, but I did… and my life changed forever.

This is not a love story. It is an unlove story.

Review:

Watch my video review of The Girl in Room 105 by Chetan Bhagat!

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQz4pBJI1qg[/embedyt]

Surprisingly, I really enjoyed reading this one. Firstly, it is a murder mystery, which is not something that Chetan Bhagat is known for. I think the author did a great job in the plot and the characters, and I was shocked with the twist in the end because I did not see that coming at all. In a lot of these murder mysteries, you keep guessing as to who could be the mastermind behind it all, but the author successfully shocks you in the end with something you wouldn’t have expected. So I really applaud him for writing a novel which is outside his comfort zone from romance and angst and trying something new. Secondly, the author has managed to nicely blend some humor and romance into the book, and I really thought Keshav’s friend Saurab was hilarious.

Overall, Is this the Best Chetan Bhagat book I have read? Probably not because I did like a few others of his. Is this the best murder mystery every written? Probably not because I have read better. But having said that, this is a very interesting book to read, which held my interest and kept me guessing as to what could happen next and for that, I give this book 4/5 stars.

October 10, 2018