Never Make a Bucket List-Shraddha Sahi

Book: Never Make a Bucket List
Author: Shraddha Sahi
Publisher: Vishwakarma Publications

I was provided a media copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

What if a vacation becomes an investigation into the death of your spouse?

Capri - the land of magical beauty, glamorous yachts, the scent of lemon blossoms, and the famed Blue Grotto: Who wouldn't put it on their bucket list? Meet Pooja Sharma - shy romantic, wealthy, crazy about her husband, Ravi, and devoted to her daughters, now desperate to begin living for herself. She sets out to rekindle their romance and her sense of self with a new plan for life. It all goes horribly wrong on the penultimate day of their trip... Pooja goes overboard just as their boat exits the Blue Grotto and is nowhere to be found. Did she drown? Was it a tragic accident... or a sinister plan? A depressed socialite, a bankrupt husband, a sultry ex- lover - are these the real personalities of those involved? Inspector Roberto Batliwala stands in the way of the busload of remaining Indian tourists desperate to go home... surely the case is a simple, straightforward one, isn't it?

Shraddha’s book is an interesting whodunnit which explores the death of Pooja Sharma on her holiday in Capri. The author explores the idea of what happens when a murder investigation takes place on a foreign soil, and how things can get complicated quickly. Shraddha’s writing is interesting and the concept she explores is really gripping. While reading the book, I was almost reminded of Poirot and how he investigates crimes across the lands. Another aspect of the book that stands out is the slow burn and that the time it takes for the pieces to fall into place. The writing keeps you interested and as a reader, you are in sync with the investigator as he unravels the pieces. While the plot is interesting, there were certain aspects of the book that did not work for me. Firstly, while the book opens on a strong note, the spark fizzles out as the book moves as the interrogation becomes repetitive and non-yielding. Secondly, the writing becomes slower and we see a lot of events, but not a lot of thrill that should have been an integral part of the book. The climax is surprising and it does salvage the slow writing in the second half of the book.

Coming to the characters, Shraddha incorporates a motley of characters, and I loved that there are connections between characters that show up as the book progresses which increases the suspect pool. The character descriptions are detailed and you can visualize the characters as you read through the book. Roberto Batliwala as an Indian-Italian investigator flummoxed by the events is nicely created. My concern with the character arc was that it was superficial and as a detective, he could have been a wonderful detective to have been carried forward as a series.

Overall, the book is a well-written crime thriller that could have been improved. The book scores a 4.13/5 for me.

Grab a copy of the book on Amazon India or a Bookstore near you.

Parenting Unplugged: The Drama Mama Diaries-Lalitha Ramanathan

Book: Parenting Unplugged: The Drama Mama Diaries
Author: Lalitha Ramanathan
Publisher: Om Books International

I was provided a media copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

A witty and honest dive into modern parenting, one hilarious, heartfelt anecdote at a time, Parenting Unplugged: The Drama Mama Diaries is a parenting manual like no other. Lalitha Ramanathan shares stories of the comical conversations she has had with her young daughter, reminding parents that the journey is messy and magical but also tender and joyful. This laugh-out-loud book finds charm in chaos and helps overwhelmed parents feel less alone. Whether it’s tackling tantrums and tech trouble, surviving school admissions and mediating friendship issues, balancing enrichment classes and office work, or coming up with imaginative answers to impossible questions – the author captures the drama that every parent can relate to and chuckle at.

When you read the blurb of the book, you might think that the book is full of parenting gyaan and it would be useful to new parents, but as you turn the pages, you realise that the book is filled with anecdotes about the journey of a parent, and how each day becomes a life lesson. The book is wonderfully penned and I loved that the book is not just a drab writing of events as they occur, but Lalitha uses sarcasm, puns and PJs to keep you interested in the book. Another aspect of the book that works in its favour is that it is not just about parenting hacks. It talks about the experiences lived and experienced, specially with a young human. There were instances where I have laughed for minutes at a stretch because some of the puns did relate a lot. The banter between Lalitha and her better half also is interestingly captured and there are moments where their conversations become the highlight of the chapter. The writing is gripping, storytelling captivating and the puns on-your-face.

If you are a parent, or about to be one, then I would recommend that you pick up this book. the book scores a 5/5 for me.

Grab a copy of the book on Amazon India or a bookstore near you.

The Glitch in Our Stars-Divya Iyer

Book: The Glitch in Our Stars
Author: Divya Iyer
Publisher: Indie Press

I was provided a media copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Do you think fate plays an important role in our lives?

When Rusham and Dil cross paths online, a simple exchange of words sparks something neither of them can name. What begins as casual conversation quickly unravels into something deeper—tender, complicated, and impossible to ignore. But how well can you really know someone through a screen? What happens when your past doesn’t stay where it belongs? And how do you hold on to something real in a world built on curated truths? As their lives entwine, what they uncover will test the limits of trust, timing, and the stories we tell ourselves. Is it fate, coincidence... or something else entirely?

The book is an interesting take on fate and how it shapes the events in our lives. The book explores the relationship of two people, living on different continents who get in touch and slowly fall in love. Divya’s writing explores this romance and how the long-distance romance blossoms and the emotions when the two finally meet. Things get complicated when Rusham’s past catches up with him, and on the other side, fate deals a raw hand to Dil. What I liked about the book was the honest writing. The moments between Dil and Rusham are well written, and you are drawn into the story as you keep turning the pages. The first part of the book is engaging and you are interested in the events as they unfold. The romance is well written and an uncanny relationship is shown to be blooming. What did not work for me was the second half of the book where things take a turn. What happens with Dil was a sudden shock and while the plot was interesting, I would have liked it if it was interwoven into the plot right from the beginning, atleast with some hints. Secondly what happens with Rusham also felt rushed and I think that aspect of the story could have been handled in a better manner. The climax is satisfactory and I think that we could have had a better ending.

Coming to the characters, while Rusham and Dil have got their fair share of space in the book, it dwells only on these characters while telling the story. Kyra, for example, was a very good character that had the potential to be developed further which could have added a bit more of depth into the story. Similarly a side character to show Rusham’s side of the story would also have added an interesting layer to the book.

Overall, the book is a decently written romance that scores a 4.13/5 for me.

Grab a copy of the book on Amazon India.

The Song of Our Bond-Pinki Bakshi

Book: The Song of Our Bond
Author: Pinki Bakshi
Publisher: Ukiyoto Books

I was provided a media copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Do you have an old friend with whom you have lost touch?

1970s, Eastern India. Meena, a nine-year-old Bengali girl, moves with her family to Khurda Road in Orissa. Everything feels unfamiliar: the food, the people, the language and the culture; until she meets Kasturi, a 10-year-old local Oriya girl. In Kasturi, she not only finds a true friend but also a confidante. With Kasturi, Khurda starts to feel a little like home. But life has its own way of testing bonds. The two friends are eventually torn apart and overwhelmed by the grief of separation. Matters get even worse for Meena, who soon finds herself caught amidst the crossfires of communal flare-ups in her new hometown. Her childhood becomes marred by memories of loss, fear, and insecurity. Years pass. Both girls grow into women, carrying their scars quietly, with grace. Time seems to have helped them carve their own separate paths. And yet, does the bond they once shared still linger deep within them, like an unfinished melody? Will Meena ever make peace with her traumatic past? Will she and Kasturi ever find each other again? Or is the song of their bond destined to fade away in a whimper? The Song of Our Bond is a tender tale of childhood friendship, separation, and hope that never truly dies.

Pinki’s book explores how the friends that we make during our school days are the ones we remember the most. Through the story, the author beautifully captures how Meena is initially intimidated by changing surroundings, only to find an anchor in Kasturi, a girl in her neighborhood. The story then moves on to how life separates them, each charting her own path, each of them looking for the other. The writing in the book is interesting and the first half of the book keeps you hooked because of a lot that is happening, both in the lives of our characters as well as the changing social landscape. I liked the fact that the author weaves in the political turmoil of the times into the plot to add a layer of intrigue. What did not work for me in the book was that the book focuses entirely on the childhood, and virtually nothing of their teens or the adult life is captured to show their yearning for each other. Secondly, the book is written from Meena’s perspective, but the same scenario from Kasturi’s POV would have also added a wonderful layer to the storytelling. The climax is well-written and I liked the call back to the childhood and the link with the title of the book.

Overall, a book I would recommend if you would like to read a short novella on female friendship, and how they can stand the test of time. The book scores a 4.25/5 for me.

Grab a copy of the book on Amazon India.

Shadowbound-Nikhil Sampath

Book: Shadowbound
Author: Nikhil Sampath
Publisher: Self Published

I was provided a media copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

What would you do if you could hide in the shadows?

In the forgotten village of Kattur, shadows carry old stories—and some are far more dangerous than legend. Kadhir, a withdrawn college student, wants nothing more than to stay invisible. But when he and the fiercely determined Surekha stumble upon whispers of an ancient legend, they are drawn into a web of hidden scrolls, strange disappearances, and a legacy that refuses to stay buried. At the center of it all lies the Nizhalvaazhveeran—the Shadow Protector—once believed to have saved Kattur from destruction. But as the line between folklore and reality begins to blur, Kadhir and Surekha find themselves confronting truths that are as unsettling as they are inescapable. What begins as a quiet investigation soon spirals into a night of betrayal, transformation, and tragedy—where friendship, loyalty, and courage are tested against forces older and darker than they could ever imagine. Slow-burning, atmospheric, and haunting, this is a thriller where the shadows don’t just hide secrets—they awaken them.

Shadowbound is a book that sits perfectly between mythology and a superhero story. Nikhil creates a wonderful world where a protector from the past comes alive. What I loved about the book was that the origin story of the Nizhalvaazhveeran has been built up, slowly and steadily. We see him understand, learn and use his powers to save Kattur in times of need. Nikhil takes his time to unravel the secret and while he does use a standard superhero formula, I loved that the story and the character is inherently local. Another aspect of Nikhil’s storytelling that stands out is that you are led into the story bit-by-bit and there are certain scenes that truly break your heart, specially 2 deaths which form the core of this book. The writing is quite fresh, and while you see some aspects of the story that show the author’s love for superheroes and all things magical, the idea to use local folklore and elements, along with a dash of science was a stroke of masterful storytelling. The light-vs-shadow was a wonderful play that he does in the book, and to flip the conventional color connotations was something I really loved. The climax is wonderfully penned and the visual aspect of it is quite descriptive which almost helps you visualize the scene, rather than just read it.

Coming to the characters, I loved the way Kadhir’s character has been written. A young college student, considered as weak by the others, a loner who suddenly has the power to change things. His journey from understanding to harnessing his potential was plotted nicely. Surekha’s character as a headstrong woman who will stop at nothing to fulfill what she has decided was the one I admired the most. Her relationship with Kadhir and how their equation changes was written in a very interesting manner, and specially when she realises that the person she was looking for is Kadhir, that scene does wonders for the story.

Overall, Shadowbound is a series that I am looking forward to reading, specially with more books in the pipeline. We might just have a superhero universe in making. The book scores a 4.88/5 for me.

Grab a copy of the book on Amazon India.

12 Years: My Messed Up Love Story-Chetan Bhagat

Book: 12 Years: My Messed Up Love Story
Author: Chetan Bhagat
Publisher: HarperCollins India

I was provided a media copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

How do you know when the person you are in love with is “The One”?

He's 33. She's 21. He's a struggling stand-up comic. She's a rising star in private equity. He's divorced. She's never had a boyfriend. He's Punjabi. She's from a conservative Jain family. They shouldn't be together. But they can't stay apart. Welcome to 12 Years: My Messed-Up Love Story. Saket and Payal couldn't be more different—age, background, beliefs. Yet, they're drawn to each other in ways they can't explain. Is it just chemistry, or something deeper? Is it madness and lust, or is it love? Unputdownable and thoroughly entertaining, 12 Years tries to answer the eternal question: How do you know if someone is the one—especially when everything says they're not? From India's top-selling writer Chetan Bhagat comes a powerful new love story that will make you laugh, cry and rethink everything you know about love.

Chetan’s interpretation of love and romance is something I have always admired. Right from his first book to this one, I have always liked the relatability and the simplicity in the way he presents the idea of love. 12 Years as a book has his signature writing that is simple, yet catchy. When the book came out, I thought that the title of the book references the age gap, and that this is an “age gap romance,” and I went into the book with that thought, but the actual context of the title comes to light in the climax, and that, for me, is why I still choose to pick up his books even after all these years. The plot is simple and straightforward, and is told from Saket’s eyes. The story explores his life as he experiences lows and then how he rebuilds his life overseas. The storytelling is easy to comprehend and while there are some aspects of the plot that I did not like, especially Saket and his lifestyle in Dubai, but then that gave the context to the climax as it plays out. Another thing that did not work in the book was the fact that it was a lot from Chetan’s perspective, and not a lot from Payal’s perspective. In hindsight, you feel a lot for both characters, but while reading the book, you sort of get tired of Saket after a while. I loved the serendipitous meetings that he arranges between the two, just to show context and the timelines. The climax was something I really enjoyed, mainly for two reasons. Firstly, the whole circle of life aspect that comes out from the story, and second the growth that you see in Saket is something that is commendable.

Coming to the characters, I really liked the way Chetan has sketched Saket’s character. A guy in his mid-30s, recently divorces, pursuing his passion, jumps out perfectly in the way he pens him. The character descriptions are vivid and it was quite easy to visualize him. Similarly, Payal’s character is also wonderfully penned, but I did feel that we saw a bit less of her to make more deductions about her. Mudit as the devoted and dedicated friend was again penned perfectly.

If you love to read a nicely written romance, the it comes highly recommended. The book scores a 4.63/5 for me.

Grab a copy of the book on Amazon India or a Bookstore near you!

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Happiness Happens-Robin Singh

Book: Happiness Happens
Author: Robin Singh
Publisher: Penguin India

I was provided a media copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

What does happiness mean to you?

Robin Singh had everything he wanted and more—well-settled in the US, financial freedom, married to the love of his life—except he was not happy. It was in his pursuit of happiness that he stumbled across purpose. It eventually took giving up on happiness and pursuing purpose before he realised that he had finally found what he had been looking for. This is a book about what happened between him exiting his tech company and starting Peepal Farm—an animal rescue centre. It is a compilation of all the answers he got along the way and the questions he asked to get those answers. He still can't tell you what is life or why is life . . . but he can answer why to live and how to live. Happiness Happens is ultimately an exploration of what really makes us happy. It is Robin’s journey told simply, with the hope that it will reach people who are dissatisfied with how they have been living but haven't yet been able to answer how else to live.

Happiness Happens is a book that is quite different from the usual self-help books that are currently available. Robin does not impart a lot of jargon or tips to achieve happiness, rather he explains his journey of self-realisation and how in his quest in finding the answer to the question of “What is happiness” he explores various things and finally arrives on the concept of Peepal Farm. The book is essentially his story of what he did through the years and how his perspective on life changed as he started looking at it from a completely different lens. What I loved about the book was that there is nothing right or wrong that is classifies, rather his idea is only to understand what is your own understanding of happiness, and then how you chart your way towards it. Another thing I really liked was that he does not deal in absolutes. His writing does mention that as an individual, you get to choose how you pave your way towards your own happiness. One of the key takeaways from the book for me was to ask the right questions, and to have the courage to take actions once you decide what you want to do with your life.

This book might not give you the answers to what you are looking for in life, but at the same time, it does help you find the right perspective towards life, and how to walk towards your own definition of Happiness. The writing in the book is simple and easy to understand. There is no jargon or words coined to explain the meaning of life, but rather it is the story of the experience of Robin as he goes through life. The book is a simple read, and the focus is on the message which makes it even more interesting.

The book is a definite recommendation and scores a 4.81/5 for me.

Grab a copy of the book on Amazon India or a bookstore near you.