TITLE: Liar’s Beach

AUTHOR: Katie Cotugno

PAGE EXTENT: 320

PUBLISHER: Penguin Books

GENRE: YA Mystery

MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐

SOURCE: Received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

WE WERE LIARS meets GOSSIP GIRL – this YA thriller with a splash of dark academia is full of secrets, lies, privileged teens and beach parties. The perfect summer read.

A body in the pool. A friend who might be an enemy. A vacation they’ll never forget . . .

Linden has always felt like an outsider and spending the summer at his best friend’s vacation house, surrounded by money and privilege is doing nothing to lessen his imposter syndrome. But he soon has bigger concerns than fitting in – there’s a body in the pool and everyone’s a suspect – including him.

If you’re in the mood for a YA mystery set over the summer at Martha’s Vineyard, full of teenage angst and some expert sleuthing, you’re in the right place!

Linden has always struggled to fit in at his private school. When he gets an opportunity to go to his best friend Jasper’s vacation house over the summer, he takes it up in an effort to blend in better. But what he doesn’t expect is a body on the pool steps, right after a night of partying at the Kendricks’ place. What was supposed to be a vacation by the sea turns out to be a chase for the killer, and a rekindling of friendship with a long-lost friend!

I read this book from cover to cover in one sitting! After a long and hectic week at work, this book was the respite I didn’t know I needed! I picked it up on a whim and wasn’t expecting to be glued to it! Before I realised, I was flipping through the pages at breakneck speed and I was done in a span of 3 hours! What a fast-paced, well-executed plot!

Okay, let’s get to the nitty gritty bits. You might be wondering why I gave this book a 3-star rating even though I happened to love it. Hear me out: while the book was entertaining and fun, it didn’t really bring anything new to the genre. It read like every other YA murder mystery with rich kids being rich kids, ignoring their privilege and misusing it. I can think of atleast 10 other mysteries with a similar plot line. This might be the author’s first foray into the genre and I am not saying it isn’t a good book, it just wasn’t anything different or unique. While it is an interesting story, don’t expect to be blown away by it. It might not be your next obsession, but it is definitely a good one-time read!

The romance between Linden and Eliza was lacklustre and not something that made me want to care enough. The romance felt a bit unnecessary at places and the plot would have held its ground without the romance too.

Holiday is undoubtedly my favourite character! The blooming of friendship between Linden and Holiday after years of being out of touch was something that made my heart swell up with warmth. I am someone who values friendships a LOT and I always have a soft spot for books that feature some great ones! Holiday’s personality was just like her name: a holiday! Fun, excited and always looking out for the next adventure! That girl’s got some mad sleuthing skills!

Is a review of a murder mystery even complete without a word about the mystery itself? The mystery element was seamlessly done and had me guessing right up till the end! And I ended up guessing it all wrong, haha! You know it’s a good mystery when there were strategically scattered breadcrumbs along the story which all start to make sense finally and make you go “oooooh”!

If you want to read a fun mystery with some amazing backdrops and cute cafes, make this your next read!

What was your most recent YA mystery/thriller read? Let me know in the comments!

TITLE: The Chhau Champ

AUTHOR: Vibha Batra

PAGE EXTENT: 80

PUBLISHER: Duckbill Books (Penguin Random House India)

GENRE: Middle Grade

MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐️

SOURCE: Received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Shubha wants to learn Chhau. But her father wants to only teach her brother Shayon. How will Shubha persuade him that she too deserves a chance?

Here’s the thing I love about Vibha Batra’s books: she takes a social evil and churns it up and makes it palatable for young readers in an impeccable manner! Having read quite a few of her books in the last one year(and loved them, of course) I jumped right in when I got my hands on a copy of this book!

In this cute and short read, we follow Shubha, who wants to be a Chhau dancer but her father, who happens to be a Chhau ustad himself, thinks it’s an art form for men (ugh) and vehemently refuses to teach her. With her family struggling to make ends meet, her passion for the dance form, and her brother’s love for football, will things go haywire? Read the book to find out!

Vibha’s books always manage to leave me with a contented smile on my face! Shubha’s sass and swagger had me giggling! Shubha and Shayon are the perfect example of sibling rivalry, complete with their bouts of bickering and babbling, and yet somehow being there for each other come what may!

Misogyny is rampant in the world, even more so in the Indian society. Women are invariably assumed to be the weaker sex and are not allowed to go to work in most parts of the country even to this day. Books like these not only help instil the right thoughts in the minds of young readers, they also show young girls how they can achieve everything they set out to, and all they need is passion and determination! Gender is never the bar!

This review would be incomplete without giving a shoutout to Priya Kuriyan, who is one of my favourite illustrators ever! Her adorable and quirky illustrations are the best!

What are you waiting for? Pick this one up right away and read it from cover to cover in one sitting just like I did!

Are you a dancer? If yes, which dance form are you trained in? Let me know in the comments!

TITLE: Murder Most Unladylike

AUTHOR: Robin Stevens

PAGE EXTENT: 352

PUBLISHER: Puffin Books

GENRE: Middle Grade

MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐️💫

SOURCE: Received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The first gripping, Agatha Christie-style mystery starring a brilliant new double act: feisty, funny schoolgirl detectives, Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong.

When Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong set up their very own deadly secret detective agency at Deepdean School for Girls, they struggle to find any truly exciting mysteries to investigate. (Unless you count the case of Lavinia’s missing tie. Which they don’t, really.)

But then Hazel discovers the Science Mistress, Miss Bell, lying dead in the Gym. She thinks it must all have been a terrible accident — but when she and Daisy return five minutes later, the body has disappeared. Now the girls know a murder must have taken place… and there’s more than one person at Deepdean with a motive.

Now Hazel and Daisy not only have a murder to solve: they have to prove a murder happened in the first place. Determined to get to the bottom of the crime before the killer strikes again (and before the police can get there first, naturally), Hazel and Daisy must hunt for evidence, spy on their suspects and use all the cunning, scheming and intuition they can muster. But will they succeed? And can their friendship stand the test?

Wow! What a perfectly crafted murder mystery! This series has been on my TBR since forever and I finally got a chance to pick it up! I read this book in one sitting over a span of two hours and I had to pause my read of Arsenic for Tea(Book 2 in the series) to write this review!

We follow Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong, third formers at Deepdean School for Girls, a boarding school in England, as they set up a Detective Society, with Daisy as the President and Hazel, the Secretary. What starts off as a fun pastime between two girls takes a turn for the serious and sinister as Hazel discovers the body of their Science Mistress, Ms. Bell in the gym! And she she returns with Daisy to show her discovery, the body has VANISHED! Now, not only do they have to prove that it was a murder, they also have to prove that the crime was even committed in the first place!

This was the perfect starter to what I imagine can be only one of the best Middle Grade series out there! A boarding school with hidden tunnels and secret passageways and teachers with ulterior motives is the perfect place to commit a crime, and get away with it! Hold that thought. This does NOT happen when we have two of the best brains at work!

These two young detectives have the perfect modus operandi! As you solve the case alongside the girls, you can’t help but wonder at their meticulousness. While you get to see their suspects list get updated from time to time, you also get to read about how they became friends and how the society was formed. Hazel’s arrival in England and what she goes through as a person of Asian origin gives you something to think about. This book doesn’t shy away from talking about the insecurities of teenagers and the intricacies of friendships.

If you’re in the mood for a cosy murder mystery that you can get through in one sitting on a cold and rainy Sunday afternoon, snuggled up on the couch with a cup of hot coffee: here’s your next pick!

Are you a fan of murder mysteries? Which ones are your favourites?

TITLE: Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Chalice of the Gods

AUTHOR: Rick Riordan

PAGE EXTENT: 288

PUBLISHER: Puffin Books

GENRE: YA

MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐️⭐️

SOURCE: Received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Percy Jackson has saved the world multiple times – battling monsters, Titans, even giants – but these days the modern-day son of Poseidon is hoping for a regular final year at school.

Too bad the Greek gods have other plans, and three new quests for Percy to complete.

First up: the cupbearer of the gods, Ganymede, is missing his golden chalice. Not only is this embarrassing (why do the gods keep losing their magical items?), it’s also potentially disastrous. One sip from the cup will turn any mortal into a powerful god. And the old gods do not take kindly to newbies.

Can Percy and his friends Annabeth and Grover find the chalice before it falls into the wrong hands? And even if they do, will they be able to resist its awesome power. . .?

If this isn’t nostalgia, I don’t know what is! I read the Percy Jackson series way back in high school (circa 2012) and instantly fell in love with it! So, when I found out that we are returning to the Percy Jackson world with Percy, Annabeth and Grover going on quests again like the good ol’ days, I KNEW I had to get my hands on a copy and read it right away! And of course, Uncle Rick doesn’t disappoint one bit!

In what appears to be a new trilogy, we follow the original trio as they go on quests for the Gods who have to write Percy letters of recommendation to help him get into New Rome University. Ugh, when have the Gods ever made it simple for their demigod children? Ganymede, the cupbearer of the Gods, uses this timely opportunity and enlists Percy to find his missing chalice, which also happens to grant immortality and can prove to be utterly disastrous if it falls into the wrong hands! Will Percy succeed in returning Ganymede’s chalice before things go haywire(which they almost always do, haha) or will he fail to impress the Gods? I am not spilling the beans!

This book was a total roller coaster! The stakes are low, but the adventure and sarcasm are super high! Trust me, if Percy was a sarcasm amateur in the original series, he’s a PRO now! Uncle Rick’s humour is on point, as usual, and had me falling into fits of laughter time and again! And if you’re worried about having to read all the books in the Percy Jackson before getting to this one, fret not: because you don’t have to! This book reads like Percy Jackson #6 and if you’re read the first five books, you’re good to go!

We fell in love with Percy and Annabeth almost a decade ago and we get to fall in love with them all over again! #Percabeth shines through the pages and you can’t help but wonder how they compliment each other so perfectly! And let’s not forget Percy’s best friend in the whole wide world, GROVER! He’s the smartest, goofiest and funniest! Percy’s family dinners got me all emotional too! 🥺

Though this one is a fast read, I would recommend picking it up when you can get through the book in one sitting, because that is exactly what you’ll end up doing! You can’t help but read the book from cover to cover and encounter murderous chicks(hen babies, I mean😂), a God in a man-bun who also happens to be a Yoga instructor, a rainbow granny who sends Percy and his friends on a cleaning errand and a grandpa in a loincloth with strength you can’t imagine! Now that I’ve told you enough to get you going, what are you waiting for? Pick up the book, admire the gorgeous cover, and dive right in!

What is your favourite series in the Percy Jackson universe? Let me know in the comments!

TITLE: Beach Rivals

AUTHOR: Georgie Tilney

PAGE EXTENT: 297

PUBLISHER: Penguin Random House India

GENRE: Romance

MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐️

SOURCE: Received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

One bookshop in paradise. Two bitter rivals. A whole summer to get through…

Clare thought that by now she would have her life figured out. Instead, she’s living with her parents, working a job she hates and has absolutely no idea what she wants to do with the rest of her life.

When she sees a viral job advert for a three-month bookseller position on a Bali beach, she jumps at the chance. But it’s not until she arrives in Bali that Clare realises she won’t be working in the bookshop alone.

Instead she’s sharing the bookshop – and a flat – with a handsome but infuriating American man. Jack is Clare’s opposite in almost every way, and it’s not long before they’re driving each other crazy. But fighting with Jack is also the most fun Clare’s had in years, and it’s only a matter of time before their relationship turns less than professional…

Beach Rivals is an escapist, slow-burn enemies-to-lovers rom com – the ideal summer read!

A book about books set in a bookstore where two book lovers fall in love amidst books? Sign me up already! This is a booknerd’s dream come true! I jumped into this book with a ton of expectations and needless to say, it didn’t disappoint one bit! And if that’s not enough, it’s set on a beach in Bali and will have you itching to go there on your next international trip!

Clare is stuck in life. She doesn’t know what her passion really is. She’s been jumping from one temporary job to another with no real goal. When she comes across a job listing for a bookseller on the Internet, she applies for the 3-month job on a whim hoping to have a great time on the pristine beaches of Indonesia and get things back into perspective. When she arrives, she is not expecting the bookstore to be in a dilapidated condition and she takes it upon herself to restore the bookstore to its once-renowned glory! Add a charming American boy to the mix and things will definitely get a bit more complicated!

This was book a breath of fresh air! It is exactly the book you need to get out of burnout or a reading slump! This was my first time reading a book centred around books and this was an experience I didn’t know I needed! It left me with a huge, satisfied smile on my face and an intense urge to work in a bookstore!

This book not only talks about books but also describes the intricacies and effort that goes into running a bookstore, while also providing inputs on author events and bookstore decorations that had me wanting to become a bookseller and help people pick up books that will change their lives and also help them meet their favourite authors! Trust me, this book is a dream for every book lover out there!

I am all for books that focus on character development. Clare’s growth from being a person stuck in the limbo of life to someone who discovered her true passion and embraced it with all her heart is something that is bound to leave you content and sighing with relief!

And how is it a perfect fun read without a dash of romance? Oh wait, heapfuls! Clare and Jack start off as roommates who wish they were anywhere but around each other and what follows is a blossoming of friendship and romance (with some superbly dramatic moments) and sizzling chemistry! Jack is a character with multiple layers and surprises and I want you to discover that for yourself! You can’t help but root for #Clack! (Yes, I just came up with that terrible ship name 😂)

Books with queer rep always have a soft spot in my heart and this book let its queer characters shine! The love story of the bookstore owner, Adam and his wife, Celestina(who happens to be a trans woman) is one to cherish! And my, Celestina is a queen!

So, what are you waiting for? Pick up the book now! In the meantime, I will watch some YouTube videos of Bali and its beaches and plan my next trip!

What is your favourite summer romance? Let me know in the comments!

TITLE: Arkspire

AUTHOR: Jamie Littler

PAGE EXTENT: 384

PUBLISHER: Puffin Books

GENRE: Middle Grade, Fantasy

MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐️⭐️

SOURCE: Received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Glorious, powerful, magic; a city of twists, turns and tricksters; extraordinary secrets which only one girl can uncover . . . welcome to the world of Arkspire.

Arkspire is a city obsessed by magic. The five Arcanists – a group of all-powerful magicians – have protected the great city for as long as anyone can remember. Within the hustle and bustle of these cobbled streets lives Juniper Bell, a thief who’d do anything for her family – even her unbelievably annoying sister, Elodie.

Then one night, something incredible happens. A mysterious stolen relic (nothing to do with Juni, ahem…) explodes, revealing a mysterious creature, Cinder – who appears to ‘bond’ with Juni. The only creatures like that are allegedly dangerous enemies of the Arcanists . . . and it’s not long before they turn their attention to Juni.

Soon Juni, Cinder and everyone she loves are pulled into an extraordinary world of magic, power and prestige – but also grave danger. It seems the world Juni thought she knew is nothing but a lie – and now only Juniper and Cinder can bring it down.

A thrilling adventure and astonishingly illustrated new fantasy series, from the bestselling author of Frostheart.

This is clearly one of my favourite books of the year! Having heard rave reviews of the Frostheart trilogy(I am yet to read it and the books are staring at me from their vantage point on the bookshelf. My TBR is overflowing to the point of no return, pardon me) I knew I wanted to get my hands on this one! I picked up during one of my study breaks and flew through it from cover to cover before even realising I was done with the book! Jamie Littler, you just ended up on my auto-buy authors list!

We follow Juniper Bell, a relic hunter in the city of Arkspire, which is ruled by the Arcanists, five beings who wield great power and magic. What happens when a relic magically releases a shadowy creature and creates a spectacle in the sky for the whole city to witness? The Wardens come knocking at Juniper’s door in the Dregs(the underbelly of the city) and take her to trial with none other than the Arcanists themselves! What follows is a high-octane adventure that will you have frantically turning the pages to see what happens next!

Is it even a good fantasy without good world-building? I love me a fantasy with stellar world-building and a unique magic system and this one ticked all the boxes! There is also a smidge of dystopia underlying the whole theme and it was the cherry on the cake for me!

This review would be incomplete without highlighting the gorgeous illustrations! What better combination than the author and the illustrator being the same person?! Jamie Littler’s illustrations are one of the best I’ve come across and not only do they add depth to the story, they also function as a catalyst to fuel your imagination of this well-constructed fantasy world!

As I make it a point to mention in every Middle Grade review, friendships are the show stoppers of Middle Grade fiction and the friendship between Junie and Thea was something that warmed my heart! The author doesn’t shy away from discussing complicated family dynamics (I am looking at you, Elodie) and that was definitely a plus! Madame Adie and Everard were fun side characters and I would love to discover more about them in the upcoming books!

In short, I have fallen head over heels in love with this fantasy world and I CANNOT wait for Book 2, especially after that MASSIVE CLIFFHANGER that made me gasp!

Pick this book up at the earliest and go on a journey you’ll never forget!

What are your favourite fantasy books? Let me know in the comments!

TITLE: My Roommate is a Vampire

AUTHOR: Jenna Levine

PAGE EXTENT: 352

PUBLISHER: Penguin India 

GENRE: Adult Paranormal Romance

MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐️

SOURCE: Received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Two strangers. One apartment.
Will it be love at first . . . bite?

Cassie Greenberg needs a new place to live, and fast. When she finds an affordable apartment in a beautiful neighbourhood, she knows there must be a catch.

Of course, her new roommate Frederick J. Fitzwilliam is far from normal. He sleeps all day, is out at night on business, and talks like he walked out of a regency romance novel.

He is also leaves Cassie heart-melting notes around the apartment, always asks about her day, and doesn’t look half bad shirtless on the rare occasions they’re both home and awake.

There’s no denying there’s a spark between them – but there’s also a secret. . .

With true love at stake, will Frederick come clean?

Have you ever been so excited for a book that you end up abandoning the extremely huge pile of books that’s your TBR and pick it up the moment it arrives at your doorstep? Well, this was that book for me!

The premise of the book sounded so fun and intriguing that I had no choice but to pick it up right away! We follow Cassie Greenberg, who is struggling to make ends meet after her MFA degree didn’t help her much professionally and she’s on the verge of being evicted from her apartment. When she chances upon a Craigslist ad for a room in one of the posh areas of Chicago that costs only $200 dollars a month(it even has a full view of the lake!), she decides to check it out, despite her own suspicion and her best friend Sam’s dismay. She moves in and after a few days, guess what she discovers? Bags of BLOOD in the fridge! And her extremely hot, broody roommate is a THREE-HUNDRED-AND-FIFTY-YEAR-OLD VAMPIRE! Yes, you heard it right! A blood-consuming, cold-to-the-touch, active-at-night, vampire! Go read the book now! I’ve given your mind enough information to draw your attention!

This was my first time reading a paranormal romance and I went into the book with a mountain of expectations, if my initial excitement didn’t convey that much already, haha. This book is the textbook definition of a rom-com! It’s so “bloody” hilarious (see what I did there? 😉)you will be giggling every two minutes at how adorably clueless Frederick is! That’s the vampire hottie, by the way. What more can you expect from a vampire who was in a deep slumber for an entire century and has absolutely no inkling what “Tick Tock” is! 😂 This book is outright laugh-out-loud funny and will have you in fits of laughter time and again! Who knew roommates-to-lovers would be this fun?!

On a more serious note, this book is an ode to art and artists. Not only does this book portray how securing a job can sometimes be difficult even with an arts degree if your style of art doesn’t fit in with the more conventional forms, it also shows just how passionate Cassie is about her art! We need more people like her, both in fiction and in the real world!

If you’re internally screaming, “hey, get to the romance part already!!!”, well, you’re in for a treat! In the era of emails and text messages, Cassie and Frederick converse with letters, tucked into a crisp envelope with a wax seal on it! Who knew this would turn out to be a new favourite? He also gets her gifts from time to time and she helps him go shopping for modern clothes!🥹 The sizzling chemistry between the two is almost palpable through the pages and there are quite a few steamy scenes too! 😉 Believe me y’all: you will LOVE it! Well, if you didn’t know that a vampire could be a mega green flag, you will once you’re done with the book and you’ve fallen head over heels for Frederick too!

While I have a lot of great things to say about this book, it does have its own share of shortcomings. There were a couple of plot points that were left hanging. Sam has been an integral part of Cassie’s life and I would have loved to see his reaction upon finding out that his best friend is, in fact, in love with a vampire! Reginald, who is Frederick’s best friend had a lot of potential which was left unexplored. I have a soft spot for books that give side characters their own spotlight but in this book, they ended up being mere props. The climax could also have been a bit more…climactic? It all felt too convenient and a bit rushed towards the end. If not for these flaws, it would have been a solid 5-star read for me!

In short, this was you-will-have-tears-from-all-the-laughing funny! It’s a warm and cuddly story with a hint of magic that will have you staying up late into the night(I stayed up until 3 AM reading it haha) and if you’re in a reading slump, this is exactly what you need to get out of it! Take my word for it: you will NOT be disappointed!

Are you a fan of paranormal romance? Drop some recs for me in the comments!

TITLE: Business or Pleasure

AUTHOR: Rachel Lynn Solomon

PAGE EXTENT: 368

PUBLISHER: Penguin India 

GENRE: Adult Romance

MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐️⭐️

SOURCE: Received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Chandler Cohen lies for a living.

When she accepts her next ghostwriting gig penning a memoir for cult actor Finnegan Walsh, it should be a dream job.

However, Chandler knows him best as something else: her worst-ever one-night stand . . .

She’s determined to keep things professional. But when she finally admits to Finn that their night together wasn’t as mind-blowing as he thought, he’s mortified, and determined to make amends.

So, they strike a deal. During the day, they’ll work on the book, and at night, she’ll school him in the art of satisfaction.

As they grow closer, the line between business and pleasure starts to blur.

Can Chandler and Finn have both, or will they have to choose?

Let me get this straight: I am a HUGE fan of Rachel Lynn Solomon’s and she is one of my all-time favourite auto-buy authors! Having read her YA books, this was my first time reading one of her adult romances(yes, I have all of them but I’m yet to pick them up. Don’t @ me haha) and boy, didn’t I know I was about to have such a good time! This is one of the most wholesome and relatable books I’ve read this year and it’s one I’ll definitely reread multiple times! Okay, before this entire review becomes a fanboy moment, let me tell you more about the book.

We follow Chandler Cohen, a ghostwriter with some bestsellers (not) to her credit, who is stuck in a professional limbo, unsure of what to do in life. One thing she’s sure of: she wants to be have her name on a book one day. After a particular author event goes bad in a weird way, she meets a hot guy at the bar and hooks up with him, and it turns out to be the WORST sex of her life! Imagine the horror on her face (and on mine) when she finds out she will be ghostwriting his memoir(he also happens to be a very famous actor who she has absolutely no clue about), while travelling to various cities across the United States as he attends Comic Cons! She strikes a deal with him: she will teach him how to be better in bed (which he definitely needs to learn) and they will go their own ways once the book is wrapped up. But when has life ever been a piece of cake? I have given you enough information to pique your interest. You got to read the book to know the rest.

Now, let’s get to my favourite part of reviews: where I gush about all the amazing, amazing things that had me obsessing over this book and giggling into the night!

Firstly, there are three things about every RLS book that I LOVE: Jewish rep, mental health rep and sex positivity! This one undoubtedly ticked all the boxes!

Both the MCs are Jewish and we get to read a lot about Jewish culture and traditions. Being someone who loves to learn more about customs and traditions across the world, this was indeed the cherry on the cake for me.

As someone living with both OCD and GAD, seeing myself in Chandler and Finn was the aspect of the book that made it a more relatable experience for me. Books with mental health rep will always have a place in my heart and the wholesome and accurately depicted conversations regarding mental health had me smiling to my heart’s content.

If it isn’t already evident from the cover, this book is a STEAMY rollercoaster you would definitely want to get on! Rachel mentioned quite a few times that this is her steamiest book yet and OH MY GOSH, not only were the sex scenes super hot and well written, they were so realistically portrayed I had to stop and admire! Realistic portrayal of sex is extremely essential in a world where people tend to develop weird and high expectations of sex by consuming media that doesn’t really do it justice. The scenes were super honest, raw and written with the sort of finesse one can expect from Rachel! It’s better if you read this when you’re alone though, because it might elicit some physiological reactions in your body, which can be a tad bit embarrassing in public! Haha!

If I have extremely high expectations of men, it’s totally because of romance novels that have the most perfect men who are the greenest flags! Finn is definitely one of my favourite book boyfriends(the list is never ending at this point hehe) and let me tell you why! Not only is he a genuine and honest-to-God person, he also cooks and is a huge Lord of the Rings nerd and is a vegetarian! Being a vegetarian myself, I didn’t know how much seeing another vegetarian in the pages of a book would make me swell with joy! He might not be the best in bed, but hey, we all appreciate a man who learns from his mistakes and works on honing his skills! 😉

All of Rachel’s characters are sex positive and man, Chandler is a fierce woman who knows what she wants, both in life and in bed! Let me be clear: this book might sound like intimacy lessons when you read the synopsis: but let me tell you, it is so much more! There will come a point in the book where you go, “guys, just date already!” It all wraps up beautifully in the end and once you’re doing reading the epilogue, it will leave you with a feeling of joy and contentment!

If you’ve read this review right up until this point, it means you definitely want to read the book! Well, what are you even waiting for? Pick it up soon and let me know what you think once you’re done reading this compulsively readable book in one sitting and let’s obsess over it together!

Who is your favourite romance author? Let me know in the comments!

TITLE: World’s Best Girlfriend

AUTHOR: Durjoy Datta

PAGE EXTENT: 288

PUBLISHER: Penguin India

GENRE: YA

MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐

SOURCE: Received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

‘When he turns, I see his eyes. There’s a sense of surety in them, a sense of danger, a sense of entitlement and definitely, arrogance.’

Daksh and Aanchal meet under improbable circumstances in the most unlikely of places-a posh resort in the Andamans. While Aanchal is fighting hard to escape the shackles of a lower middle-class existence, Daksh is aimless and unsure of what his future holds. Strangely, they are drawn to each other.

‘My gaze drifts to her exposed back, and the tiny knot that secures her shimmering choli in place. Emotions of anger mix with a strange desire in me.’

Four years later, when they meet again, Daksh’s world has crumbled around him. The burden of caring for his sick father and six-year-old sister has left him with little time for anything else. Yet, despite their diverging paths, Daksh and Aanchal find themselves reconnecting in unexpected ways. Their mutual attraction deepens.

Till now, fate has been pushing them together, but what will happen when they decide to take matters into their own hands? Will life be as they’ve imagined, or will destiny take even that away from them?

Aanchal and Daksh meet on a fancy resort vacay in the Andamans and are instantly drawn to each other. Aanchal, a middle-class girl with financial struggles is on vacation with her family after winning a lucky draw and Daksh is unsure of what to do with his life. Like two people who meet on a vacation, they go back to their respective lives. But what happens when they actually end up meeting again under different circumstances four years later? Will they succeed in rekindling their long-lost romance? Or will it wither away? Read the book to find out!

Let’s get to the pros first: this book did an honest portrayal of flawed, imperfect characters. Aanchal and Daksh have their own shortcomings which shows how the world is not black and white, but different shades of grey.(I know what you’re thinking, get your attention back here😂) The raw and honest depiction of the internal battles one fights when faced with the adversities of life was something that caught my attention. The book also highlighted the permanent emotional scars a toxic relationship can leave on one’s mind and how it might affect one’s relationships in the future.

Daksh was honestly such a green flag. His character was probably the most fleshed-out one of the lot and the fact that he has so many layers to him only added to his character growth! His sister, Rabbani was such a sweet jellybean and lightened up the otherwise grim premise of the book. I love me a book that gives side characters enough time to shine and Aanchal’s friend Vanita was my favourite!

Durjoy Datta is one of India’s most well-known authors of romance and needless to say, I had a lot of expectations going into this book. To be very honest, this book didn’t suit my taste.

The excessive use of profanity made me question so many things about this book. While the toxic relationship between Aanchal and Vicky was essential to the story, was the use of extremely vulgar and harsh cuss words essential to portray said toxicity? I am pretty certain teenagers comprise most of the author’s readership in the country and if this is what they read during a phase when they are easily malleable, I am not sure it would be a good influence on them. If not for the casual use of some very harmful words, I would have upped the rating a bit.

That said, it was still a very readable book that will have you glued to it. Written in a simple language, getting through the book isn’t an ordeal, except for the parts I wish were omitted from the book. I would definitely like to know what’s in store for Aanchal and Daksh, especially after that cliffhanger!

Are you a fan of romance? What’s your favourite trope?