Scarred - Book Review

Title: Scarred 
Series: The Anderson Brothers Series, Book 1
Author: Marie Long
Type: Ebook
ASIN: B00TY4ZMRE
Number of Pages: 315
Price: 61 [INR]
Genre: New Adult Romance

The Blurb:

Sometimes, love comes with a price… 

The past is always gonna try and bring you down, but you gotta fight. Fight hard for what you love. Fight to win is what twenty-two-year-old Dominick Anderson believes, but his life is a struggle. Growing up with an abusive father has made Dominick slow to love and trust, and he relies on his brother Kevin to keep him on a straight path. 

Dominick fights his demons every day, every night. Now a sophomore at the University of Washington and working a steady job at a mechanic’s shop, Dominick wants to create a better life and find the future his father never wanted him to have. 

Dominick suppresses his identity and feelings until he meets Denise Ramsey. Smart, stunningly gorgeous, and sharing his love for motorcycles, Denise is everything Dominick longs for in a girl but knows he can never have. When a past love threatens her life and brings out Dominick’s suppressed dark side, he must decide if she’s worth the risk. 

My Review:

       Meet Dominick who is struggling to escape the clutches of a horrible memory from the past. But no matter what he does, the memory keeps flashing in front of his eyes, making him weak and angry all at the same time. At 22, Dominick is working as a mechanic after college. He is single and he doesn't want a fling. What he wants is a long term relationship and his dreams come true when he meets Denise. Or does it? When Denise's high school sweetheart returns, does Dom stand a chance? When the time comes to face his demons, will he be ready or will he escape? Will Denise be able to see Dom's love for her?

Things I Liked:

       This is the first book in the Anderson Brothers series but the best part is there is no cliffhanger ending! This is a standalone novel in itself. I liked Dominick's character as it is described by the author. He is fighting with brutal past memories and trying his best to move on with life. His struggles and emotions are handled beautifully by the author. The plot is interesting and keeps the readers engaged. Also the supporting characters are displayed with an aptness that makes the story more lively.

Things I Disliked:

      I didn't like the language or the way of expression. That was the only 'OOPS' factor for me in this novel.

Verdict:

       This book makes an interesting read if you are not so particular about the language.

My Rating: 3.5/5 Stars!

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Take 2 - Second Chance at Happiness - Book Review

Title: Take 2: Second Chance at Happiness 

Author: Ruchi Singh

Publisher: Ruchi Singh

Type: E-book

ASIN: B00TLHD2SK

Edition: 2nd Edition

Number of Pages: 202

Price: 95 [INR]

Genre: Romance

The Blurb:

Priya’s idyllic world turns upside down when she realizes her husband considers her dead weight after stripping her off her inheritance for his ambitions and lavish lifestyle. 

Instantly attracted to Priya, Abhimanyu knows getting involved with a married woman is inviting trouble. But despite common sense, cautions and hesitations, he is drawn to help her. 

Happily ever after has become a myth for Priya and trying to keep the relationship platonic is becoming more and more difficult for Abhimanyu. 

In the tussle between ethics, fears and desires... will Priya embrace a second chance at happiness?

My Review:

Characters:

       Meet Priya, a fierce, beautiful and independent young lady from Delhi who is the protagonist of the story. Priya is a software engineer who loves her job. A damsel in distress and yet a fierce lady who doesn't go down without a fight; that is Priya Mathur for you.

       Meet Abhimanyu Malhotra, aka Abhi, is very successful at the age of 28 and is an eligible bachelor. Hot and dashing, he has many girls falling for him but his heart skips a beat whenever he meets Priya. An awesome cook, a gentle soul, the knight without shining armor (wink) and a dependable friend; that is Abhi for you.

Plot:

       When Abhi sees Priya at the pub, for him it is love at first sight. He hadn't felt this strongly for anyone in his entire life but when he finds out that Priya is married, his heart is crushed. Though he convinces himself that it was nothing more than an instant attraction and he would stay away from her, Priya's thoughts and her face keep invading his mind.

       Torn from the news of her husband Sameer cheating on her, the last thing Priya want is attention from another male. When Sameer asks for a divorce, Priya is not ready for it. All she wants is to get back with him somehow and stay away from Abhimanyu. Or at least that is what she thinks.

       But when destiny throws them together, their resolves waver. So close, yet so far, they fight the attraction that they feel for each other. Priya, haunted by her past, isn't ready to place her trust on anyone again. Does that mean she will never be able to trust Abhi? Will she be able to look past her troubled past and listen to her heart? Will she be able to take the second chance at happiness that life has given her?

Things I Liked:

       The story is narrated from both Priya and Abhi's view point, making it all more interesting. The narration is smooth and the language easy to read.

       I liked the way the characters are portrayed. Priya, though troubled and broken, has a fierceness and a streak of self esteem that makes the readers like her instantly. Abhi, with is chivalry and magnificent culinary skills, doesn't take long to leave an impression either. Aditi and Rahul's banters, their loyalty to their friends and Komal's bubbly ways all make the story more fun to read.

       I also like the court scene and Priya's curt and precise answers and of course the slap and the epic tagline ;) (Oh! I am not giving out anything more)

Things I Disliked:

       I wish there was little more about Aditi and Rahul or at least what would happen to them in the end. A few minor typos were there but nothing major to put off the reader.

Verdict:

       For a debut author, Ruchi has done a great job. Take 2 is a light and breezy read that you will love. Pick it up if you are a romance lover. You won't regret it!

My Rating: 4/5 Stars!!

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Love,

Swathi :)

Scandalous Housewives: Mumbai - Book Review

Name: Scandalous Housewives: Mumbai 

Author: Madhuri Banerjee

Publisher: Rupa Publications India

ISBN: 978-8129131140

Number of Pages: 264

Price: 265[INR]

Genre: Romance

The Blurb:

Meet women from Sapphire Towers, a residential high-rise Mumbai where life is lost to a clockwork routine. Although everything appears calm on the outside, there are those housewives who yearn for change and joys in their mundane life. One gets into a forbidden relationship following an irresistible lust, another gets addicted to kinky sex and ends up in misery, yet another woman falls in love with a young man, a friend of her own son and one more lady is holding within a secret that could probably put an end to her marriage. One ominous day, an anonymous email comes in to the inboxes of all Sapphire Towers residents and leads to unimaginable consequences! Discover what happens to the dilemmas of these women in this unputdownable novel.

My Review:

Characters:

       Meet Gita, a very talented young woman, but frustrated mother of two young girls who is stuck in a unhappy marriage with a husband who doesn't love her, parent-in-laws who reprimand her for anything and everything she does and a brother-in-law whom she is drawn to greatly! Her life is spent in bringing up her two little angels and trying hard to please everyone is the family.

       Meet Sarita, mother of two teenagers, stuck with stingy parent-in-laws, husband who adores her and children who refuse to listen to her. Lazy cook who hates doing the household chores, she believes in giving kids freedom and keeping broad mind while bringing them up.

       Meet Natasha, once a super model, now a housewife and mother of a rebelling 14 year old girl! Natasha feels suffocated with her husband Vikram, who seems to have temper problem and abuses her and a daughter never listens to her!

       Meet Aarti, a career oriented woman who travels constantly, thanks to the support she receives from her parent-in-laws and loving husband Amit but she carries a guilt that she couldn't shake off! As much as she loves Amit, she couldn't help but feel unhappy in her romance-less marriage!

Plot:

     'Scandalous housewives: Mumbai' revolves around 4 housewives - Gita, Sarita, Natasha and Aarti, each of whom is fighting their own demons. These 4 friends, who call themselves 'Lovey Ladies' meet often in the park of Sapphire Towers where they reside and gossip about their life. Though they share the basic stuffs and pretend to be closest of friends, each one of them has a secret that they have hidden and are reluctant to share. 

       What happens when are stuck in a marriage where there is no love? What happens if your husband stops paying attention to you and then suddenly, someone else does that? What happens when there is something vital missing in your wedded life? Apparently, you do adultery. That is what these lovely ladies do when they reach a point where life seems beyond bearable! And these events turn their life 360 degrees when someone finds out their truths and threatens to tell everyone about it! Their faith, friendship and love, everything is put to test at this juncture of life, where each one has their own bag of guilt to deal with!

Things I Liked:

       I liked the way Madhuri has handled so many delicate things in this books. The story of a family that suppresses woman from following her heart and expecting her to be just a housewife who does all the chores, the issues parents face while bringing up their children, the bedroom secrets, the choices that women are forced to make to keep the family intact, friendship and romance. All these elements and much more are handled with ease by the author. 

       I liked the way chapters ended with a hint about something that is about to happen, something that we need to look out for. It just made the book all more interesting and unputdownable. I liked the narration and the language used by the author. I liked her absolute hold on the story and how every twists and turns are thought out meticulously. Most of all, I liked the ending where she didn't leave our protagonists sinking in the standards created by the society!

Things I didn't Like:

      The cover of the book doesn't do justice to the brilliant story! And there were a few places where the story turned too filmy. Apart from that, the book was a great read.

Verdict:

       If you are one of those people who point a finger against those who break the norms and follow their heart, don't even bother picking up the book and then commenting on it. But if you someone with an open mind, go for it. This book is a brilliant read and definitely a page turner. This is the first book I have read of Madhuri and I loved it. Looking forward to read more books from her.

My Rating: 4.5/5 Stars!

Until the next review,

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Love,

Swathi :)

Mr. Imperfect Series - Book Review

Title: Mr. Imperfect Series (Complete Collection) 

Author: Aditi Chopra

Publisher: Createspace Independent

                 Publishing Platform

Type: E-book

ASIN: B00PMH4750

Number of Pages: 190

Price: 250 [INR]

The Blurb:

Three intriguing women, Three Imperfect men, Three fascinating stories! 

House of Love 

Real estate agent Nikki Desai has a rule of not dating her clients. When she hosts an open house on a cold Dallas afternoon, she didn’t know what was in store for her. Much like Dallas’ unexpected weather, Karan Malhotra, a business consultant, walks into her life and challenges every belief she holds close to her heart. Karan manages to cajole Nikki, but is she making a mistake in breaking her rule by dating Karan? 

Arranged Marriage 

Arranged marriage - where love happens after marriage or does it? 

Ishan, a NRI from Dallas, Texas visits his home country, India and gets entangled in his parents’ plan to get him married. Sonali is a simple girl from a small town called Meerut and has no desire to leave India. However, she reluctantly agrees to marry Ishan. But when she settles with him in a foreign country, she is completely lost and homesick. 

Will Sonali find love in a conventionally arranged marriage? 

Love Tango 

Maya Sarin is sensuous and enterprising. She runs a dance school in the suburb of Dallas. Tahir Ali is an aspiring author who owns a Mediterranean restaurant in the area. When his regular dancer bails out on him, he rushes in Maya as a replacement. Maya is the inspiration that he had been longing for; she feeds his creative soul. 

Do they have any future together? Explore their passion and intrigue in Love Tango.

My Review:

       Mr. Imperfect Series by Aditi Chopra is a romance novel consisting of three different yet connected stories. The stories are set in Dallas, Texas. The stories, though independent, are linked together through the characters, which gives a sense of continuation to each story.

       The first story in this series is 'House of Love'. It is a story of a real estate agent who is an ambitious, career oriented woman - Nikki Desai. She is a real estate agent. She works day and night, climbing the ladder of success but what she really wants to hear is her dad's words of appreciation. Her world suddenly starts changing when Karan enters her life. He is the perfect partner every girl dreams of having. With his charms, he is sure to win every reader's and of course Nikki's heart. The way this story started was something I liked very much :D 

       The second story, 'Arranged Marriage', is about a simple Indian girl Sonali, who finds herself married to the NRI guy Ishan. Everything happened so soon and before she knows, she is in an unknown country with her husband, whom she barely knows. Ishan's little gestures to win Sonali's heart and his sweet nature are again something that will win over reader's heart. I liked the turn of events as Sonali slowly tries to adjust to the new life, shedding her insecurities, emerging as a confident woman. The emotions of a bride in a foreign land are expressed so aptly by the author.

       The final story, 'Love Tango' is about Maya, who is suffering from loneliness. She is a friend of Nikki and Sonali and as much as she loves their company, she can't help but feel lonely when she sees them with their husbands. I loved Maya from the start who runs a dance school. And it was a treat when she found that someone special in Tahir. But Maya is hurt from a troubled past and it is difficult for her to let go of it and trust Tahir completely. How will Tahir convince her? You have to read this novel to find out more about it.

       Though it says 'Mr. Imperfect' series, I did find all the three male protagonists perfect in their own imperfect ways. The language used is simple and easy to read. I liked the little glimpse of Dallas that I got through this book. But the stories ended too soon. I wish there was more to read! This book is recommended for those who are looking for light romance.

My Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

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Siren's Call - Book Review

Title: Siren's Call 

Author: Debbie Herbert

Publisher: Harlequin

Type: eBook

ASIN: B00UATVF3W

Number of Pages: 297

Price: 243.88 [INR]

Genre: Paranormal Romance

The Blurb:

Mermaid mythology meets Native American lore. 

She was irresistible to every man…except one 

Lily Borsage is the ultimate siren: gorgeous, aloof and irresistible to all the men in Bayou La Siryna. All of them, that is, until Nashoba Bowman comes back to town. The Native American kid whose innocent first kiss Lily remembers fondly is now all grown-up, hot as an Alabama summer—and immune to Lily's charms. What self-respecting mermaid could resist finding out more?

But Nash has a dark history that puts any woman he loves in grave danger, and a heritage of power he isn't ready to accept. And Lily has a secret that no mortal man can ever know. When a mysterious enemy starts menacing Lily, they will both have to risk everything—and embrace their deepest destinies—if they want to survive.

My Review:

       I read the review of this book on Goodreads and it instantly piqued my interest. I just HAD to read it! So happy that I could be a part of this tour. 

Characters:

       Meet Lily Borsage, the beautiful Mermaid, whose Siren's voice makes every man lose his heart to her. But Lily isn't just beautiful; as they say, she is beauty with brain. Talented but insecure and the one in search of true love among human men - that is Lily for starters.

       Meet Nash - the irresistible man whom every woman fancy. Mysterious, powerful, confident and go-getter Nash has a secret which can change his life.

Plot:

       Lily can get any man she want but her heart beats for the one whom she cannot have - Nash. When Lily meets her childhood friend Nash, she couldn't help but fall head over heels for him. Never been the one to face rejection, it isn't easy for Lily to cope up when  Nash refuses to show any interest in her.

       Nash on the other hand has a troubled past which holds him back from getting into a relationship. But when the beautiful Lily makes advances towards him constantly, it is difficult for him to stay aloof. 

       Sparks fly soon and Lily and Nash realize they cannot live without each other. But a happy ending is a far call. With a killer who singles out every woman who gets involved with Nash, with a mother who forces Lily to return to the Mer world and find a match there, with Lily's little secret hidden from Nash and then Nash's own secret that he is struggling to expect, their love is anything but cake walk. How long will they go to keep this love alive? Read the novel to find out.

Things that Worked:

       The way the story is built around various factors is something that I liked a lot. Though beautiful, Lily has an insecurity when it comes to her talent. Though gifted, Nash isn't sure he wants to accept his abilities. Then their love - which fights all the odds. The part of Opal adds an interesting dimension to the brewing love story, always making the reader curious as to what might happen next. 

       I loved reading about Sam and his stories. The native American legends are new to me and though it took just a small part in this book, I enjoyed reading them. The narration was also gripping and I just couldn't stop reading until I completed the whole book (which was around 3 am!) The story is narrated from different characters' viewpoint and I liked it as it gave me an insight to the thoughts of more than one person.

Things that didn't Work:

       Apart from a very few typos, there wasn't anything that I didn't like about this book!

Verdict:

      An awesome novel with a lot of romance with a mix of thrill and mystery. Paranormal romance being my favorite genre, I absolutely love reading this one. Being the third in the series, this book can be read without reading the first two books but having read this one, I am definitely looking forward to reading the other two. If you love paranormal romance novels, then you will definitely love this book.

My Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

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Delirium - Book Review

Title: Delirium 

Author: Sowmya Aji

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers India

Type: eBook

ASIN: B00K4QM2KQ

Number of Pages: 224

Price: 169.10 [INR]

Genre: Romance

The Blurb:

I was addicted. 

To him. 

Anjana Narendra just can’t keep her head straight when it comes to the nation’s heartthrob,cricket vice-captain Avinash Katagi.The mere sight of him sets the heart of this thirty-one-year-old television journalist pounding, and fills her stomach with butterflies. He seems smitten too – taking her out for romantic walks in the botanical gardens, appearing by her side when she has a road accident,knocking on her door in the middle of the night. Even as Anjana is swept off her feet into a whirlwind romance,the reporter within her sniffs out the biggest scoop of the season. all too soon, she is neck-deep in trouble with her bosses and the cricket board, struggling to make sense of the sordid world of steroids and celebs. Will anjana give up the delicious young man she is hooked on to? and does she even want to? Sinful and alluring, Delirium is a heady cocktail of intrigue, temptation and betrayal.

My Review:

Characters:

       Meet Anjana Narendra, who works as a journalist with the National TV, Bangalore. In her early thirties, she is intelligent, fun loving and isn't scared of adventures. Married to Naren and in love with the Indian cricket team Vice-captain Avinash.

       Meet Avinash Katagi, Vice captain of the Indian cricket team and the nation's heart throb. In his late twenties, he has achieved a lot of success but is caught in the drug scandal which has the potential to destroy his image. Silent in front of the world, he couldn't stop himself from falling for the National TV's journalist.

Plot:

       Anjana, who is desperately trying to catch some exclusive news for her channel, crosses path with Avinash who takes an instant liking to her. She thinks he was just flirting but when he keeps on appearing in her life again and again, she is not sure about that anymore. And what's more shocking is, Anjana discovers that she has feelings for Avinash too, despite being married to Naren, who is a caring and loving husband!

       Things are bound to go against them when Anjana gets an exclusive interview about the drug scandal from a senior cricketer on the promise of anonymity. What first appears as the scoop of the year, soon turns to be the beginnings of a series of frightening events for both Anjana and National TV. The BCCI is set on proving her news as fake and Anjana's job and reputation is at stake. And to add more to her pile of worries, Avinash's image is jeopardized too! Will Anjana be able to clear the mess her life has become? Will she be able to stop herself from falling more for Avinash? 

Things that Worked:

       I loved Anjana's character. She isn't scared of adventures. When the BCCI threatens her, she doesn't just cower up under their threat but she faces them head on and counter strikes their threat with her witty remarks. I liked the fact that she kept her source's anonymity even when she was at the brink of losing job. I loved Ratan's concern for his friend and the bold step he takes to help them out.

       I loved the pace of the story. It keeps you hooked right from the beginning. There are so many layers to the story and it gets more and more interesting as the story progresses. The cover page is designed beautifully and it goes perfectly with the story line.

Things that didn't Work:

       I didn't like Avinash. Sometimes cold and sometimes sweet, he really wasn't the ideal hero! But again, it is this very behavior of his which takes the story forward. I felt sorry for his fiancee who wasn't given much importance here.

Verdict:

       I usually don't like cricket but for a change, I loved reading this book. It is different and it is engaging. The emotions are handled very well and the book makes a great read. Highly recommended if you are looking for a fast paced novel with romance, suspense and mystery all rolled into one.

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

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The Mystery of the Missing Iguana - Book Review

Title: The Mystery of the Missing Iguana 

Author: Ruchira Khanna

Publisher: Lekha Publishers

ASIN: B00MAU0V48

Number of Pages: 40

Price: 200 [INR]

USP: 2-8 years will love it

Type: eBook

The Blurb:

      Alex and his pet chimpanzee Angelo are the young detectives of their neighborhood. When a friend's pet Iguana goes missing, Alex and Angelo immediately take on the case, and the sneaky reptilian leads them on an exciting chase. How will Alex and Angelo use their sleuthing skills to solve this mystery?

My Review:

       The Mystery of the Missing Iguana is the first in the detective series by Ruchira Khanna. The story is about Alex and his pet Chimp Angelo, who solve the mystery of the missing Iguana. The first thing that caught my attention was the illustrations which are very cute and spot on. As a kid, I used to love such books. Reading one now brought back the sweet memories.

       Ruchira has used a mixture of easy and difficult words. While it is easy for the kids to understand the easy ones, the difficult words will help them learn new words. The story is short which is good because kids don't have patience to sit and listen for lengthy ones. The story is engaging and has many elements like pet, school, friends, playing - the ones kids can identify themselves with and this makes the book even more interesting for them. I am waiting to read this book to my 6 months old niece who is visiting this weekend. I am positive that she is going to love this one.

       Ruchira, I do hope you will write many books in this series. It will definitely be a huge hit.

My Rating: 5/5 Stars!

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Saved in Sri Lanka - Book Review

Title: Saved in Sri Lanka  

Author: Devika Fernando

ASIN: B00U5ZY8AI

Number of Pages: 293

Price: 247 [INR]

Genre: Romance

Type: eBook

The Blurb:

Some people are destined to meet.

It sure feels that way when Sri Lankan tour guide Sepalika meets Daniel. The mysterious tourist from Ireland steals his way into her heart and makes her question everything her life is built upon, Instant attraction turns to love - but does he feel the same? And what about the secret she's hiding from him?

Follow the two on their quest for a happy ending amid the beauty and wonders of the tropical island paradise of Sri Lanka.

My Review:

Characters:

       Meet Sepalika, the beautiful and Knowledge thirsty Sri Lankan tour guide who dreams of a bigger life but is tied down to the small island of Sri Lanka due to twisted fate. She likes observing people and figuring out things about them, apart from her love for history and facts. Drawn to the mysterious Irish tourist, Sepalika is torn between love and duty.

       Meet Daniel, a tourist from Ireland who visits Sri Lanka on a short holiday before he leaves for Australia to take up the post of a history professor. He has a hunger for knowledge and jots down everything in his little notebook. He is drawn towards Sepalika, his tour guide, who seems to be 'tied' to someone!

Plot:

     Sepalika, who is on yet another tour with her new set of tourists, couldn't help but feel curious about the mysterious Irish guy sitting at the back of the tour bus and keeping to himself. Upon closer observation, she finds that he loves history just like her. What begins as the guide sharing information about the various facts soon turns into something more. Before she can stop herself, Sepalika is completely drawn towards Daniel.

      But things are not as easy. Sepalika is engaged with Mahesh as a part of an agreement to save her dad. Will she be able to break out of this loveless relationship and give love a shot? And then there is another question. Does Daniel really love her too? Or is she just a holiday fling for him? And what happens when he finds out about the little secret Sepalika is hiding? And how long it is before Mahesh finds out about Sepalika's attraction to Daniel? Read the novel to find out more ;)

Things that Worked:

          I have read 2 more books of Devika and I love the way she writes. Her choice of words and narration are brilliant. The chemistry between Sepalika and Daniel, in this book, was simply awesome. I enjoyed reading their stolen moments and I just couldn't help wishing for more. Devika knows how to create interest in readers' mind and then how to maintain it till the end. I also enjoyed reading about Sri Lanka and knowing a little more about our neighboring island and its customs and traditions. I loved getting to know their way of life through Sepalika.

Things that didn't Work:

      The only thing that didn't work for me was the amount of information. Though it was fun to read about Sri Lanka, sometimes the information got too much for me and it made me take breaks while reading the book. I wish there was more romance than tourism.

Verdict:

       If you are someone who loves to read about different countries, then this book is for you! And in case if you like romance too, then it is a double treat for you. You will definitely love this book. 

My Rating: 3.5/5 Stars!

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Metro Diaries - Book Review

Title: Metro Diaries 

Author: Namrata

Publisher: Revelation House Books

Type: eBook

ASIN: B00UAIBAPG

Number of Pages: 162

Price: 187.25 [INR]

Genre: Romance

The Blurb:

Love is one of the most amazing feelings on this earth, one that makes you the most powerful person or the most helpless person in a split second. These stories capture those feelings of despair, longing, love, lust, desire, want, dejection and admiration to create deja vu. Hold onto your hearts as you flip through these pages and take a walk down the memory lane as "Metro Diaries" will revive your innermost feelings and imbibe in you the magic of love. Touching, amusing and deeply moving, Metro Diaries - Love Classics are tales that will hold you from start till end.

My Review:

Metro Diaries is a collection of 20 short stories, all of which are so well narrated that they leave you asking for more. The author, Namrata says that these stories are the stories she witnessed during her various trips. They are all real life incidents, which makes it all more interesting to read. Here is what you can expect in this book:

1. Once in a Lifetime: 
       Nitya, a writer, who is hurt from a past relationship, has built a wall around herself, determined to not let anyone inside. But all determination begins to waver when Ansh Malhotra starts courting her, trying his best to melt her heart. His messages surely melt the readers' heart but will Nitya give in? 

2. Then, Now and Forever:
       Ron who has been through a breakup recently with Anna, has come to pick up his grandmother. There the old lady's words and her love for her husband leaves an impact on him. 'There is only heart that could sing back the song our heart wants to listen' she says. Will Ron be able to realize it before its too late?

3. Love Thy Dreams:
       Being number one is studies as well as sports, Abhi has everyone impressed by his charms. But when Kavya arrives, he is in for some competition, for she is equally brilliant. What seeme like rivalry in the beginning soon turns into something different, due to the turn of events. This was one of my favorite stories.

4. The Wait:
       A beautiful tale of love with a shocking ending! I was wondering why Rhea had run away all through the story but the ending left me shocked. A brilliant piece of narration.

5. A Secret Revealed:
       How would you feel if you had a secret buried inside you that you cannot reveal to anyone? This story is about one such secret, very different from what you and I can think of. The journey of isolation, pain, need for acceptance and joy when it is finally found.

6. A Promise of a Lifetime:
       Ranjith was the casanova of their college and Tamanna, the shy girl. But they were always tongue tied in each other's presence, though they didn't acknowledge it. But when they meet at a friend's wedding years later, their feelings are rekindle. Will they be able to speak their heart this time? (PS: If only someone said to me what Ranjith said, I will be completely blown away ;) Loved the dialogues in this one)

7. Will You?:
       A proposal scene with loads of emotions. The way he proposes, you cannot stop yourself from begging the girl to say yes!

8. Love Beyond Words:
      As the protagonist recalls the three special days of her life with someone she felt special with, you just can't stop wondering who he was and what had happened that they weren't together anymore. I just wish there was more to this story!

9. Imperfectly Perfect:
       The definition of love explained from two different point of view. This imperfect, yet perfect love story will have you reconsider the definition of love. I especially loved scene where he will describe the praise for poetry as the praise for author.

10. A Thing Called Love:
       He was a dreamer and she was the gentle hand which nudged him in that direction. But a night had changed it all. Three years later, when he had realized his dream, he still wasn't happy because she was not there by his side. Two people, pining for each other, yet separated because of those unsaid words. I wish the ending was different! Sigh!

11. The Sole Soul Mate:
       Sometimes love is right in the reach of our arms but we fail to recognize it. We go searching for it elsewhere and that is what Saahil did before he realized that his heart belonged to the girl, his best friend, who had stood by him all these while, even through his break ups. Will he be able to confess it?

12. The Yellowed Diary:
       There are times when we fall for the wrong person. We know we are not meant to be and it would be foolishness to hold on but the heart doesn't listen. This is a similar story, where the girl is trying to forget the love from past three years but failing miserably. The description makes you feel so sorry for her. I especially loved the flower analogy in this one.

13. You, Me and Love:
       'Madly in Love' label fits perfectly for this couple. Their love for each other, even after 5 years of marriage will leave you believe in the magic of love. Some of the dialogues of this story are my favorite.

14. Unlocked:
       Sometimes, we realize the value of things or people when we lose them. Salil is at the verge of losing her, their convenience based arrangement was over. But he feels a pang when he thinks he couldn't meet her again. Would he realize her role in his life before it is too late?

15. Memories:
       This is a really short story, a letter actually, that will tug your heart strings.

16. A Message of Love:
       A beautiful story about how a letter found in a random book, makes our protagonist realize the worth of love. Loved how the story describes the equation 'You + Me = We'.

17. Her:
      When you are in love, even the shortest period of separation can feel like an eternity. One more simple yet beautiful story.

18. Love Revisited:
      Having lived in a abusive marriage for a year, Rhea has been through a lot. But there was one person who was there for her all through this, Shubh - her childhood best friend. He was there when she was broken and he was there to make her smile. But when he is about to relocate to Singapore, will Rhea be able to stop him? Will she ever confess her love? This one was my favorite story among the 20. A brilliant one.

19. The Last Letter:
      A heart warming story of 85 year Sarayudevi, who is living in the memory of her late husband. He, being an army officer, had been to fight in the war of 1947, never to return back. Sarayudevi is living ever since in his memory, holding on to the last letter he had written to her. This one is sure to move the readers.

20. You & I:
       When you really love someone, what others' think doesn't matter. This story is a perfect example of that. Zahir and Radhika, both who have suffered from a broken marriage, feel instant attraction towards each other. But Rahika is scared of committing to marriage again, having suffered enough in the previous one. But Zahir wouldn't lose her, for she is THE one for him. Where this love will take them?

      All the 20 stories have been narrated beautifully. The language is brilliant and so are the stories. You just can't help but wish there was more. I would suggest this for romance lovers. It makes a perfect read in between your busy schedule.

My Rating: 4 / 5 Stars

Until the next Review,
Keep Reading :)

Love,
Swathi :)