Review- The Girl in the Red Lipstick by Ajay K. Pandey

  BOOK SUMMARY:

Arun is a bestselling author, and the heartthrob of thousands of readers. While on a book promotion tour, he is injured and agrees to call a masseuse. Little did he know that the masseuse would turn out to be someone with a secret!

Arun sees a story in her, and in digging deeper, is amazed to discover her strength of character. Even though Lalita is a young survivor of human trafficking, she has unmatched determination.

A single encounter with her makes Arun take decisions that he had never even thought of. He is willing to risk everything for her, his own life too.
But the more he tries to help her, the deeper he drowns in the swamp.
Will two broken people be able to heal each other? Will society ever accept a girl from the forbidden alleys of the city?

The Girl in the Red Lipstick is a charming story of friendship, life and finding love where we least expect to.

Release date: August 13th 2021

Published by: Srishti Publishers and Distributors

Page numbers: 216

REVIEW: 

While I have been reading books by Srishti Publishers for the longest time, I realised recently that I hadn’t read anything by their most popular authors like Preeti Shenoy, Ajay K Pandey and Amit Nangia. When I saw The Girl in the Red Lipstick, however, I was very curious to know more about the story and how author Ajay K Pandey must’ve dealt with the topic of prostitution. I must say that I now kinda understand why he is such a popular writer and so loved among his reader friends.

The Girl in the Red Lipstick is the story of Lalita, Arun and Kajal. While on a book launch trip to Kolkata, Arun suffers from a physical injury and is advised a massage by the hotel staff. When Lalita shows up on his room, more than shocked or even ready, Arun is simply curious to know more about Lalita which leads to a series of beautiful events, a beautiful journey and an even beautiful end.

Author Ajay K Pandey’s writing is simple and really beautiful. He writes about daily, mundane activities in a manner that makes the reader want to know more. Told mostly from Arun’s point of view and sometimes from Lalita and Kajal’s points of views, all in first person, the narration flows smoothly, the writing is simple in a manner that is relatable yet up to a certain good standard and the storytelling is interesting, in that, it keeps the reader engrossed.

I have read quite a few books on prostitution, which have been interesting and enlightening in many ways, but The Girl in the Red Lipstick stands on its own as a more accessible and easy read for many people who could benefit a lot from knowing the lives of people who are humans like you and I at the end of the day.

*Note: A copy of this book was provided by Srishti Publishers in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.