Review- When Our Worlds Meet Again by Aniesha Brahma

When Our Worlds Meet Again on Goodreads

 BOOK SUMMARY:

Two years after the events of 'When Our Worlds Collide', Zayn and Akriti are now leading extremely different lives. Akriti has come back from her stint at the business school and running her mother's café. Zayn has run into trouble in his PhD program and has come home for a break. While he thinks that things are just as he’d left them two years ago, that is far from the truth. In a last ditch attempt to make Akriti remember the connection they had once shared, Zayn tries to recreate all their memories. But things are never the same when collided worlds meet again.

Release date: November 16th 2018

Published by: General Press

Page numbers: 160

REVIEW: 

I have read and enjoyed author Aniesha Brahma’s books in the past. Well, I’ve also met her and she’s a wonderful friend and human being. And guess what? She’s also a great author. When I read When Our Worlds Collide, I felt like I was part of Akriti and Zayn’s rollercoaster story. So when I got to know that the sequel to their story, When Our Worlds Meet Again was out, I had to read the book. 

I had read the first book a long time back so I didn’t really remember most of it. But Aniesha does a brilliant job of giving snippet recaps in the second book that it added to good revision of the previous story. A simple and sweet story, When Our Worlds Meet Again is a short read that I wish was slightly longer as I want to know more about Akriti and Zayn’s future. 

In this book, the dynamic duo finally have some real talk and make some important decisions. While I did find myself getting slightly annoyed with the two of them and how they handled their relationship, it all felt worth it in the end. It was nice meeting all the characters again. 

Overall, When Our Worlds Meet Again is a great read that I would highly recommend to fans of When Our Worlds Collide and if you haven’t read that, I suggest you read both books back to back. They’re awesome weekend reads. 

Buy the book: AMAZON

Review- I am M-M-Mumbai by Rishi Vohra

I am M-M-Mumbai on Goodreads

 BOOK SUMMARY:

An intelligent, good-looking young man, Rudra should have been going places, except wherever he goes, he faces ridicule and humiliation because he stammers. His stammering has only ever brought him the wrong kind of attention and he has never been able to overcome it or move past it. Now at 25, he feels completely stifled and embittered that Mumbai, the city of dreams, has always crushed his own dreams, particularly his long-cherished one of becoming a film actor.

Then he meets Richa and love gives him a ray of hope. But heartbreak devastates him and he spins into a downward spiral that eventually pushes him to rock bottom. Now, his only way up is to conquer his fear and insecurity once and for all and speak.

Will Mumbai finally listen? 

Release date: September 2018

Published by: Vishwakarma Publications

Page numbers: 192

REVIEW: 

I always enjoy reading author Rishi Vohra's books. I have read and enjoyed his Once Upon the Tracks of Mumbai and Hifi in Bollywood, so when the author contacted me about his latest, I Am M-M-Mumbai, I was elated. 

All of Rishi's books are set in Mumbai, a city I don't visit frequently and one that I'm not fond of either. But there's something so charming and engrossing in the way the author describes his beloved city that manages to bring a smile to my face. 

I Am M-M-Mumbai is the story of Rudra Talpade, who comes from a simple family and has dreams of becoming an actor but he stammers and that is what keeps him from achieving his goals. Rudra was a very realistic and lovely character and it was difficult not to like him. There were times when I felt he was naive or he was being really stupid, but he always had his reasons for doing what he did and that's admirable. 

Rudra's struggle from being an assistant director to reaching the goals he set for himself was great fun to read about. His family and love interests played an important role and there were some amazing side characters who left a mark. All the people that our hero comes across end up helping in making him who he eventually becomes. 

As always, it was wonderful to try and get to know the fascinating world of Bollywood which Rishi Vohra always nails. Overall, this one is a complete entertainer that I enjoyed oh so much and would highly recommend. 

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

Buy the book: AMAZON

Review- Tides Don't Cross by Simar Malhotra

Tides Don't Cross on Goodreads

 BOOK SUMMARY:

Sparks fly immediately when Rukmani—fierce and assertive in the best and worst possible ways—meets the gentle Ayaan in the magical city Paris. Meanwhile, back in India, her reticent sister, Mrinalini struggles to cope with the void of a loveless marriage and an early pregnancy.

Tides Don’t Cross follows these extremely interesting characters as their lives cross in surprising ways. Mrinalini, Ayaan and Rukmani wade through choppy tides, unaware of their common destiny. Deeply touching, this is an unforgettable story of thwarted desires, of love and its loss, of losing and finding oneself, and of falling and learning to rise.

Young and talented author Simar Malhotra has created yet another piercing and riveting read.

Release date: October 1st 2018

Published by: Rupa Publications

Page numbers: 256

REVIEW: 

I haven't read many books by Indian authors this year, so when I picked up Tides Don't Cross, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. When I first saw the cover and read the summary of the book, I thought it sounded really good and unique. Prior to reading this one, however, I was in a reading slump, so all I wanted was a book that would keep me engaged and entertained. Fortunately, Tides Don't Cross was a very refreshing and wonderful read. 

Tides Don't Cross is divided into three parts and follows the story of sisters Mrinalini and Rukmani who have a very strict mother which ends up making one sister very submissive, while the other lives life on her own terms. While there wasn't a lot of interaction between the two sisters, their relationship was beautifully portrayed. From being polar opposites to finding a smooth rhythm and from being far away to being emotionally connected, Mrinalini and Rukmani's relationship survived it all and made for a wonderful story. 

The story also revolves around Ayaan who finds himself being a very important part of the lives of both the sisters. Ayaan's was truly the best character in the book. He just naturally brought out the best in people and seeing Mrinalini and Rukmani with him was amazing. It's hard to express how he made an impact on both their lives without giving away any spoilers. It's something that you have to read to find out and devour. 

Overall, Tides Don't Cross is a wonderful read that I would highly recommend to lovers of contemporary fiction. Author Simar Malholtra managed to keep me wanting to know more and more and the most awesome fact was that I wasn't able to figure out the ending, which is very rare. A different and fresh story, you do not want to miss this one! 

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

Buy the book: AMAZON

Review- When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon

Summary-

Dimple Shah has it all figured out. With graduation behind her, she’s more than ready for a break from her family, from Mamma’s inexplicable obsession with her finding the “Ideal Indian Husband.” Ugh. Dimple knows they must respect her principles on some level, though. If they truly believed she needed a husband right now, they wouldn’t have paid for her to attend a summer program for aspiring web developers…right?

Rishi Patel is a hopeless romantic. So when his parents tell him that his future wife will be attending the same summer program as him—wherein he’ll have to woo her—he’s totally on board. Because as silly as it sounds to most people in his life, Rishi wants to be arranged, believes in the power of tradition, stability, and being a part of something much bigger than himself.

The Shahs and Patels didn’t mean to start turning the wheels on this “suggested arrangement” so early in their children’s lives, but when they noticed them both gravitate toward the same summer program, they figured, Why not?

Dimple and Rishi may think they have each other figured out. But when opposites clash, love works hard to prove itself in the most unexpected ways.

Release date: May 30th 2017

Published by: Simon Pulse

Page numbers: 380

Review-

I had been seeing multiple reviews of When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon on goodreads which intrigued me. The premise of the book definitely sounded cute and I enjoy reading Young Adult contemporary books so when I had an opportunity to read and review When Dimple Met Rishi I went for it. So I know this book has some brilliant reviews and some awful ones. I think I fall somewhere in the middle. While I did enjoy the book it didn't blow my mind away.

Let's start with Dimple. Dimple is ready for college and definitely ready for a break from her mother who is obsessed with finding her the "Ideal Indian Husband" Dimple decides to participate in a summer program which is perfect for her future. What she doesn't expect is to bump into Rishi and what angers her even more is that it has all been arranged by their parents. And thus starts the journey of Dimple and Rishi.

Okay so I liked Dimple. She was a simple girl but she had smarts and big dreams. She wanted to focus on her career and achieve her goals. Her love life is the last thing on her mind. Rishi on the other hand is the complete opposite of her. He is adorable in a dorky way. He respects his parents' wishes and wants to do what will make them happy. He came off as a little uptight but really he had a very idealistic view of the world. He was also quite smitten with Dimple right from their first meeting and that was extremely cute to see.

The concept of arranged marriage has been explored in When Dimple Met Rishi. This is a common practise in India and it is not as heinous as it sounds. Contrary to the popular belief the purpose of an arranged marriage is also to try and find love and that is what Dimple and Rishi's parents want for them. But I did think that things were exaggerated a bit in the book. There were times where Dimple came off as selfish and mean and I didn't like it. Rishi was always there to soften her sharp edges but I wanted her to be just as vulnerable as him.

Sandhya Menon is a really good writer. The book was filled with humour and sprinkled with Indian culture and bollywood references. Also, I loved that the chapters were short and went from both Dimple and Rishi's pov. I practically flew through the book. I also just found out that Ashish- who is Rishi's brother will be getting a book in the future and I am definitely looking forward to that one because he seemed really interesting. Overall When Dimple Met Rishi was a cute read about finding yourself and falling in love along the way.

*Note: A copy of this book was provided by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.

Review- The Impossible Vastness of Us by Samantha Young

Summary-

I know how to watch my back. I’m the only one that ever has.

India Maxwell hasn’t just moved across the country—she’s plummeted to the bottom rung of the social ladder. It’s taken years to cover the mess of her home life with a veneer of popularity. Now she’s living in one of Boston’s wealthiest neighborhoods with her mom’s fiancé and his daughter, Eloise. Thanks to her soon-to-be stepsister’s clique of friends, including Eloise’s gorgeous, arrogant boyfriend Finn, India feels like the one thing she hoped never to be seen as again: trash.

But India’s not alone in struggling to control the secrets of her past. Eloise and Finn, the school’s golden couple, aren’t all they seem to be. In fact, everyone’s life is infinitely more complex than it first appears. And as India grows closer to Finn and befriends Eloise, threatening the facades that hold them together, what’s left are truths that are brutal, beautiful, and big enough to change them forever… 

Release date: June 27th, 2017

Published by: Harlequin Teen

Page numbers: 384

Review-

I love Samantha Young's new adult and adult books, especially her very popular On Dublin Street series. Her books are emotional and wonderfully written and always leave me with a happy feeling. The Impossible Vastness of Us is Samantha Young's young adult book. It basically focuses around three teens and what's going on in their lives.

The main character in The Impossible Vastness of Us is India. The whole book goes from her point of view. When India's mother decides to marry, India is forced to move across the country. Her new step father is rich, like extremely rich and he has a daughter of India's age. India soon finds that all is not what it seems with her new step sister Eloise and her boyfriend Finn. And everyone is keeping secrets.

I really liked India as a character. She had had an extremely difficult and abusive childhood at the hands of her father till her mother rescued her. Now all India wants is to get through high school and she knows no one can hurt her if she's popular. India was a girl with her head on her shoulders. She was strong and determined and all she wanted was to be independent in her life. With all the new changes happening in her life the last thing India expects is to be attracted to her step sister's boyfriend Finn.

Finn was the typical mysterious teenage boy when India first sees him. But things are definitely not what they seem with him. He's hiding something and all India wants to do is take away the sadness she sees in his eyes. Eloise on the other hand only wanted to be the perfect daughter for her father. She knows her reputation would be ruined if her secret came out.

Samantha Young's writing is amazing as well. I could understand so clearly what was going through sixteen year old India's head. When secrets are revealed things become complicated and feelings get tangled. One thing I'd like to clear is that there's no cheating involved in the book. I was hesitating for that reason before I knew this. And I'd also like to point out that I loved the way Samantha Young said in the book -sometimes its not the happy ending that matters but the right ending- and that's exactly what we got in The Impossible Vastness of Us. This was a good read.

*Note: A copy of this book was provided by the author/publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.

Blog Tour- Review + Excerpt- The Impossible Vastness of Us by Samantha Young

   

From New York Times bestselling author Samantha Young comes a story of friendship, identity, and acceptance that will break your heart—and make it whole again. Order your copy of THE IMPOSSIBLE VASTNESS OF US today!

   

About THE IMPOSSIBLE VASTNESS OF US:

“I know how to watch my back. I’m the only one that ever has.”

India Maxwell hasn’t just moved across the country—she’s plummeted to the bottom rung of the social ladder. It’s taken years to cover the mess of her home life with a veneer of popularity. Now she’s living in one of Boston’s wealthiest neighborhoods with her mom’s fiancé and his daughter, Eloise. Thanks to her soon-to-be stepsister’s clique of friends, including Eloise’s gorgeous, arrogant boyfriend Finn, India feels like the one thing she hoped never to be seen as again: trash.

But India’s not alone in struggling to control the secrets of her past. Eloise and Finn, the school’s golden couple, aren’t all they seem to be. In fact, everyone’s life is infinitely more complex than it first appears. And as India grows closer to Finn and befriends Eloise, threatening the facades that hold them together, what’s left are truths that are brutal, beautiful, and big enough to change them forever…

   

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Review-

I love Samantha Young's new adult and adult books, especially her very popular On Dublin Street series. Her books are emotional and wonderfully written and always leave me with a happy feeling. The Impossible Vastness of Us is Samantha Young's young adult book. It basically focuses around three teens and what's going on in their lives.

The main character in The Impossible Vastness of Us is India. The whole book goes from her point of view. When India's mother decides to marry, India is forced to move across the country. Her new step father is rich, like extremely rich and he has a daughter of India's age. India soon finds that all is not what it seems with her new step sister Eloise and her boyfriend Finn. And everyone is keeping secrets.

I really liked India as a character. She had had an extremely difficult and abusive childhood at the hands of her father till her mother rescued her. Now all India wants is to get through high school and she knows no one can hurt her if she's popular. India was a girl with her head on her shoulders. She was strong and determined and all she wanted was to be independent in her life. With all the new changes happening in her life the last thing India expects is to be attracted to her step sister's boyfriend Finn.

Finn was the typical mysterious teenage boy when India first sees him. But things are definitely not what they seem with him. He's hiding something and all India wants to do is take away the sadness she sees in his eyes. Eloise on the other hand only wanted to be the perfect daughter for her father. She knows her reputation would be ruined if her secret came out.

Samantha Young's writing is amazing as well. I could understand so clearly what was going through sixteen year old India's head. When secrets are revealed things become complicated and feelings get tangled. One thing I'd like to clear is that there's no cheating involved in the book. I was hesitating for that reason before I knew this. And I'd also like to point out that I loved the way Samantha Young said in the book -sometimes its not the happy ending that matters but the right ending- and that's exactly what we got in The Impossible Vastness of Us. This was a good read.

*Note: A copy of this book was provided by the author/publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.

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EXCERPT-

“Headmaster Vanderbilt would like to introduce himself.”

Headmaster Vanderbilt turned out to be a guy probably only five years or so older than Theo. I expected someone stuffy, pretentious and more than a little condescending, but Headmaster Vanderbilt—a tall, reed-thin man who wore a tiny pair of rimless glasses perched on his big Roman nose—was warm and welcoming.

His welcome, in fact, would be the warmest I’d receive that day.

My first class was Microeconomics and to my horror Eloise, Finn and their whole crew took the class. I hadn’t been expecting to see them all together in one class and while the teacher introduced me I had to quickly put my mask of indifference on.

Eloise didn’t acknowledge my presence as I took a seat on the other side of the classroom. My eyes drifted to Finn but he was staring at the teacher, almost too studiously, like he was trying to avoid my gaze. I shook that suspicion off, knowing Finn thought he was superior to me—I probably wasn’t even on his radar.

Not that I cared if I was on his radar or not.

My Microeconomics teacher was pretty cool and I got through the class not feeling totally out of my depth. I considered that a positive for the day.

Fiction Writing was next and Charlotte was in my class. When I walked in, her eyes lit up and I thought I detected the beginnings of a smile before a thought passed over her expression. Her shoulders slumped, and she looked like she wanted to blend into the background.

I decided to ignore her weirdness and waved at her as the teacher approached to introduce herself. The teacher saw my exchange with Charlotte and insisted I sit with her.

“Hey,” I said as I took the seat beside her.

Charlotte gave me a half smile, half grimace. “Hi.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t cheat off you.”

Her answer was a tremulous smile.

Encouraged, I nodded at her violet dress. “That color looks awesome on you.”

Appearing almost taken aback, Charlotte glanced down at the dress and ran her fingertips over it. “Really? Bryce said it washed me out. She said I look trash in it.”

Of course she did. I got more than a few mean girl vibes off that girl. “Well, she’s wrong. It’s really cute.”

“Thanks.” Charlotte gave me a shy smile before wariness replaced it and she turned determinedly to face the front.

Her body language told me not to push talking to her, but I felt hope.

Smiling inwardly, I faced forward, too, and listened to the teacher as she started class.

Two classes passed and I already had more homework than I’d ever had back at Fair Oaks High. I wasn’t freaking out about it just yet, considering I had no friends and no extracurricular activities to distract me from all the schoolwork, but once I did I’d have to find a way to juggle it all.

As I was walking toward my next class I noticed the glances and full-on stares from my new schoolmates. Their looks varied from curious to sneering and I felt a tingle of wariness across the back of my neck. Turning a corner on my search for my Modern European History class, I came face-to-face with my stepsister-to-be and her girls. They sashayed down the hall like an ad for a TV show about beautiful popular high school kids, long hair fluttering out behind them like silk, long trim legs on display in their designer dresses and elongated by their Jimmy Choo sandals.

Eloise saw me, looked right through me and kept on walking without a word.

My skin felt hot with embarrassment at her obvious cut.

I watched her disappear around the corner with her best friends before looking around the hallway. That’s when I realized I hadn’t been imagining the sneers of my classmates.

A sick feeling settled in my gut as I wondered what the hell was going on.

 About Samantha Young:

   Samantha Young is the New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of adult contemporary romances, including the On Dublin Street series and Hero, as well as the New Adult duology Into the Deep and Out of the Shallows. Every Little Thing, the second book in her new Hart’s Boardwalk series, will be published by Berkley in March 2017. Before turning to contemporary fiction, she wrote several young adult paranormal and fantasy series, including the amazon bestselling Tale of Lunarmorte trilogy. Samantha’s debut YA contemporary novel The Impossible Vastness of Us will be published by Harlequin TEEN in ebook& hardback June 2017 Samantha has been nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award 2012 for Best Author and Best Romance for On Dublin Street, Best Romance 2014 for Before Jamaica Lane, and Best Romance 2015 for Hero. On Dublin Street, a #1 bestseller in Germany, was the Bronze Award Winner in the LeserPreis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2013, Before Jamaica Lane the Gold Medal Winner for the LeserPreis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2014 and Echoes of Scotland Street the Bronze Medal Winner for the LeserPreis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2015. Samantha is currently published in 30 countries and is a #1 international bestselling author.   

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Review- On Broken Wings by Chanel Cleeton

Summary-

The author of Into the Blue and Fly with Me returns with the newest, hot and high-flying Wild Aces romance...

A year after losing her husband, Joker, the squadron commander of the Wild Aces, Dani Peterson gets an offer from his best friend, Alex “Easy” Rogers, to help fix up her house. Dani accepts, and their friendship grows—along with an undeniable attraction.

Racked by guilt for loving his best friend’s widow, Easy’s caught between what he wants and can’t have. Until one night everything changes, and the woman who’s always held his heart ends up in his arms. Yet as Easy leaves for his next deployment, he and Dani are torn between their feelings and their loyalty to Joker’s memory. 

But when Dani discovers something that sends them both into a spin, the conflicted lovers must overcome the past to navigate a future together…

Release date: January 3rd, 2017

Published by: Berkley

Page numbers: 336

Review-

I cannot even express how eagerly I've been waiting for On Broken Wings. I was practically stalking the author and goodreads to see if any early reviews have been up and if so, how I could get my hands on an arc. On Broken Wings is the third book in Chanel Cleeton's Wild Aces series. This book is the much awaited story of Easy and Dani. I have to admit, it definitely met my expectations with a few surprises as well. I loved it!

Let's start with Dani. Its been a year since Dani lost her husband Joker. She is drifting when it seems like everyone has moved on and try as she may she can't stop loving her husband. We'd met Dani before in the previous two Wild Aces books so we know she's the sweetest thing. It was hard to see Dani sad but she's tough. It was great seeing her heal with Easy's help and finally realising that he could be more than a friend to her.

Alex "Easy" Rogers has a reputation with women. But the truth of the matter is he's always been in love with Dani. Even though she was married to one of the men he respected the most. He's tried really hard to get over her but he can't and he feels extremely guilty for it. When Easy sees Dani in pain, trying to cope with her loss he can't help but be there for her. Easy was a great guy. There was so much more depth to him than one could imagine and his feelings for Dani was just swoon worthy.

On Broken Wings is the epitome of a slow burn romance. Dani and Easy start of as friends, something they always were even before the tragedy that happened. Poor Easy struggles to control his emotions but Dani makes it all too easy for him to fall and stay in love with her. I liked how Dani didn't want to hurt Easy and how she was unsure of loving someone the way she did Joker. The chemistry between them was there for everyone to see.

On Broken Wings deals with grief, loss, heartbreak and healing. It was beautiful to see Dani and Easy realise that they had it in them to stick through the tough times and be with each other. There is also a little surprise which hits them. I also really enjoyed seeing Jordan and Burn along with Thor and Becca. They are great couples. All in all I really enjoyed On Broken Wings and I would highly recommend this series by Chanel Cleeton.

*Note: A copy of this book was provided by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.

Review- All Signs Lead Back to You by Aniesha Brahma

All Signs Lead Back to You on Goodreads

 BOOK SUMMARY:

2013.
As the final bell for the day rang on their last day in school, Diya Rai, had a chill run down her spine. The chill of not knowing what the future holds for her and her high school sweetheart, Ashwin Chowdhury.
So she does a preemptive strike.
She dumps him before he can hurt her.

2015.
Two years later, Ashwin and Diya, cross paths. Each holds grudges, feelings and only one half of the story that completes them.
Told from alternating points of view, through a non-linear timeline, this is the story about first love, second chances and ALL the SIGNS THAT LEAD BACK TO YOU.

Release date: November 18th 2016

Published by: BEE Books

Page numbers: 131 

REVIEW: 

After reading and thoroughly enjoying When Our Worlds Collide, I was waiting for and really excited to read another Aniesha Brahma book. So when I heard of All Signs Lead Back to You, I knew I had to read it. While it wasn't as good as When Our Worlds Collide, I still enjoyed reading All Signs Lead Back to You, which was a cute read with a beautiful ending.

All Signs Lead Back to You is the story of high school sweethearts Diya and Ashwin, who are the exact opposites and make for a perfect pair. Diya is the storm to Ashwin's calm. Ashwin was an absolute gentleman for his character was very kind, gentle and understanding. Diya was the kind of character who loves to light a fire, but doesn't quite know how to put it off. I find it difficult to like such characters, but in some way, Diya managed to make a place in my heart, because sometimes- and I really mean, very, very few times- she reminded me at little of myself.

There were parts of the Diya Ashwin story that I really liked, like how they connect over books and can sit talking about them like they're real. That was very relatable and extremely adorable. What I didn't quite like was the sometimes very unnecessary drama that they created, but when I really think about it, they are so young and they've so much to learn, so all is fair and forgiven.

All Signs Lead Back to You was a very cute read that had its ups and downs, but was a very entertaining and enjoyable read overall. The characters were well thought of and portrayed. I could easily ignore the many typos because Aniesha Brahma's simple and lovely writing made the story very easy to understand and follow. Like I said before, I didn't like this one as much as When Our Worlds Collide, but I would still recommend All Signs Lead Back to You because it's a short, simple and sweet read.

*Note: A copy of this book was provided by author Aniesha Brahma and  DDS @ B00k R3vi3ws in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.

Buy the book: AMAZON

Review- Stolen by Lucy Christopher

 BOOK SUMMARY:


It happened like this. I was stolen from an airport. Taken from everything I knew, everything I was used to. Taken to sand and heat, dirt and danger. And he expected me to love him.

This is my story.

A letter from nowhere. 

Sixteen year old Gemma is kidnapped from Bangkok airport and taken to the Australian Outback. This wild and desolate landscape becomes almost a character in the book, so vividly is it described. Ty, her captor, is no stereotype. He is young, fit and completely gorgeous. This new life in the wilderness has been years in the planning. He loves only her, wants only her. Under the hot glare of the Australian sun, cut off from the world outside, can the force of his love make Gemma love him back? 

The story takes the form of a letter, written by Gemma to Ty, reflecting on those strange and disturbing months in the outback. Months when the lines between love and obsession, and love and dependency, blur until they don't exist - almost.

Release date: May 4th 2009

Published by: Chicken House Ltd

Page numbers: 304

REVIEW: 

Stolen. Hmmm. What do I say about this book? One thing I know for sure is that my friends Glass and Tanja over at Ja citam, a ti? will be very happy and proud of the fact that I finally read Stolen. You should check out their buddy review of the same. Another confirmation I can make is that these two girls always recommend very, very good books, but I always knew that anyway. 

When it comes to the story, Stolen wasn't anything new to me. I won't spoil anything for people who haven't read the book though. One aspect of Stolen that for me makes the story what it is is the setup. The story takes place in a deserted desert in Australia, and it is portrayed so beautifully. At first, the over descriptive narration really irritated me and slowed my reading pace, but the second person point of view is what kept it interesting. Once I crossed the fifty percent mark, however, the book took such a wonderful turn that I couldn't put it down. This is not just the story of Gemma and Ty, but of nature and how we have to love what needs to be loved and there is so much hidden behind that. 

Speaking of Gemma and Ty, the main characters. Oh my God, the characters. They made the story. If I were to describe my feelings for Gemma and Ty in two words, those two words would be: mixed feelings. They are two of the most complicated, well developed, well portrayed and thoroughly amazing characters. They were the kind of characters or people that you love to hate and hate to love. I felt so connected to them both. And that in itself is a feat. With so much going on in the book which ultimately means so much going on on the reader's mind at the same time, the characters manage to really establish a relation with the reader. One moment, I wanted to hug Gemma and Ty and the next, I wanted to slap them. I loved Ty for his caring and thoughtful nature and I hated him for forcing his lifestyle on someone else. I hated Gemma for not adapting to the situations life put her in, and I loved her not for being strong, but for not being weak. They were both beautifully portrayed. 

The ending of the book was good. It was pretty apt and predictable, but... There's always going to be a but there. So I will just conclude by saying that Lucy Christopher has written a very amazing, beautiful and wonderful book that is definitely worth a try. 

Buy the book: AMAZON/ FLIPKART

Review- It Must've Been Something He Wrote by Nikita Deshpande

Summary-

When obsessive book-lover (ahem, book snob) Amruta – Ruta – Adarkar arrives in Delhi to work as a marketing executive for Parker-Hailey's Publishing, she learns that the world of books is not as cozy as she’d imagined. Her eccentric taskmaster of a boss expects marketing miracles to happen on shoestring budgets and in record time, and surviving the job (and the city) means she’ll have to master the local art of jugaad really fast. Worst of all, she’s stuck being a publicist for Jishnu Guha, protein-shake lover, serial selfie-taker, and bestselling author of seven cheesy romance novels, the kind she wouldn’t be caught dead reading.

As Ruta struggles between work and life in a new city, she finds, much to her annoyance, that she needs Jishnu’s help more than she cares to admit. But with her own parents getting a divorce, can Ruta dare to fall in love, especially with someone who’s so impossibly different? 

Release date: August 20th, 2016

Published by: Hachette India

Page numbers: 272

Review-

I first got intrigued by It Must've Been Something He Wrote by Nikita Deshpande because of the teasers I saw on twitter. So when I got an opportunity to review the book, I jumped on it. It is safe to say that I went into this book without any expectations. I think that is what made this book SO amazing of a read for me. It really blew me away by how funny and heart warming the book turned out to be.

So basically this is Amruta's story. Ruta is originally from Pune (shout out to all my Pune peeps!) and she now lives in Delhi working as a marketing executive for Parker-Hailey's Publishing. Ruta was a fairly simple girl. She was sweet and extremely easy to relate to. Her passion for all things bookish and to finally find her place in life and her career is what made her such a real character to me. Ruta had her own set of vulnerabilities and insecurities and it was nice to see glimpses of them like any normal person.

Ruta's journey trying to make it is not easy. Her boss expects miracles out of her when he actually can't even get her name right. Her crush is not reciprocating the way she would like him to and to top it all off she is stuck with Jishnu Guha, the bestselling author of seven super duper cheesy romances whom she can't help but put her foot in the mouth with. 

I loved Ruta and I loved the relationship she shared with Jish. What starts off as an annoyance soon turns into a friendship and before they know it, into something more. Jish and Ruta both have issues to deal with. They are both hesitant and unsure but circumstances or fate always pulls them together. This book at the core is Ruta's journey but I have to say I very much enjoyed the romance part of it.

More people I loved in the book were Jyo and Bunts. These two were just HILARIOUS. There were so many instances during the book that I was laughing out loud. Ruta's family was another whimsical bunch and they just added more to the story. With a strong protagonist and an amazing bunch of characters Nikita Deshpande pulls off a brilliant debut. I will most definitely be on the look out to read more from her. It Must've Been Something He Wrote was an awesome read! Go get it!

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