Author: Saumyaa Vohra
Publisher: Pan Macmillan India
I was provided a media copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Do you believe that one night can change the course of your life?
In a snap, Natasha, Saira and Faiza revive a languishing plan to take a
trip to Goa. Over the course of their holiday, the four girls drink, dance and
karaoke, even as they nurse old wounds, kindle new romances and discover
metamorphic truths about each other – and themselves. It’s a vacation with all
the fixings of a quintessential girls’ trip – emotional drama, secrets
unveiled, bonds strengthened – as each friend recounts the one-night stand that
changed her life. Amidst swapping stories, Natasha has a mysterious midnight
tryst, Saira meets a man who makes her question her disdain for commitment, and
Faiza discovers that her ex still gives her butterflies. Rubani, with a mission
yet to be accomplished, finds her interest piqued by a girl who’s exactly her
type – and a man who isn’t. Now the holiday is drawing to a close and she must
make her choice: to be or not to be wild as the Goan winds. Zany, pacy, soulful
and fun, One Night Only is as much an ode to desire and sexuality as it is a
celebration of female friendship in all its turbulence and splendor.
Saumyaa’s debut novel explores an interesting plot that keeps you hooked till the last page. Every group we have known has planned a Goa trip atleast once, and whether the same materializes or not, might sometimes be another story. The central idea of the book is how decisions taken by each of the characters one night changed their outlook towards life, relationships and friendship. I loved the fact that the book stays in the present while we go back in time as each of the characters-Natasha, Saira, Faiza & Ahana narrate stories of one night which changed their perspective towards relationships and one-night stands. A wonderful aspect of the book is that while the book celebrates relationships and sexuality, the intimate scenes are crafted with detail and are quite crucial to the plot. Another aspect of the story I really loved was that Saumyaa doesn’t craft the story of four friends who are perfect, if love has been explored, then so is the idea of jealousy, competition and resentment which can affect people as much as love does. I really enjoyed reading each of the back stories, however Faiza’s story was something that would stay with me, just for the complex emotions that particular part of the book brings out in the story. The climax is interesting in the way it has been put, and while not revealing anything, I really love the fact that she has not let go of the complexity of Rubani’s character.
The book’s strength are its characters and they are the four pillars that
hold the book in its place. The characters in the book are powerful and their
beliefs and ideas really make the reader think about the pre-conceived notions
that each of us have. What I loved about the characters was the depth she imparts
to them and how she uses their traits to deliver the message she intends. Another
good aspect of the characters is the fact that none of them sounds
holier-than-thou or the messages sermon-like. The conversations are quite
natural, and you would feel that you are sitting with them, on the beach and
having a casual conversation with one of your friends.
Overall, One Night Only is a gripping read that explores the concepts of
relationships, friendships, sexuality and the idea of choices impacting one’s
life. The book scores a 4.88/5 for me.
Get a copy of the book on Amazon India or your nearest bookstore!
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