You Can’t Be Serious-Prajwal Hegde

Book: You Can’t Be Serious
Author: Prajwal Hegde
Publisher: Hachette India

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

What if your arranged marriage turns out to be something more than just a matrimonial alliance?

AADITHA PRATHAP is the brilliant mastermind behind India's trendiest café chain, 'COFFEE Before Books & Bras' – because priorities, right? Sure, her family's fortune sparkles like new money does, but Aaditha is fiercely her own woman. She has absolutely no interest in being known as anyone's daughter, wife, or – cue the horror music – a royal daughter-in-law. With her business booming, you'd think life would be all smooth lattes and soft book nooks, but nope. Trolls of the internet variety love to take a swipe at her, dredging up chapters she had long buried. Now, owing her dad a favour, Aaditha is forced to consider... options. Even if it is in the form of a frustratingly charming, annoyingly exacting Indian prince. Speaking of royals, VEDVEER RATHORE SINGH is an eco-warrior prince with a mission. He may have grown up playing polo and cricket under the royal sun, but after Harvard, he's back home and facing a harsh reality: his family's finances are, well, not so princely. When a tempting offer to turn the majestic Ranibagh Palace into a luxury hotel comes knocking, Vedveer is willing to weigh it. But can this royal heartthrob find a way to save his legacy without losing his heart in the process? In Prajwal Hegde's delightfully chaotic North-meets-South rom-com, culture and worlds collide in the most charming and unpredictable ways. Buckle up for a wild ride full of laughter, heart and a little bit of royal scandal!

Prajwal’s story of North-Meets-South romance is very well written and I loved how the tension between the protagonists is maintained right till the end. The storytelling is engaging and keeps you hooked as you cannot really predict what either Aaditha or Vedveer would do or say in the next instant. The story moves between Jaipur and Bengaluru, and as we travel through the cultures, Prajwal makes you realise that love can blossom at places where there is no commonality at all as well. What I liked about the book was that the romance is muted in most sections of the book, but the non-verbal interactions are steamy and suggestive in equal parts. Another interesting aspect was that a part of the story is told through a Tabloid, Tittle Tattle, and towards the end, I half-expected a reveal of who runs Tittle Tattle, and possibly a member of the Royal Family. In terms of writing, the language is simple, suited and easy to grasp. The focus is on the characters and Prajwal does a good job of keeping the hot-cold vibes between the characters alive. I did, however, feel that some parts of the book did become dull and could have been culled out. The story in the middle became a bit stretchy considering that it was just Vedveer and Aaditha figuring out things. I loved how the climax plays out and the manner in which the story is brought to a close.

Coming to the characters, I loved how Prajwal has shaped Aaditha’s character in the book. Her independence and business-like attitude is very well penned. I also loved the confrontation scene towards the end when she maintains her calm and chides Vedveer on his actions calmly. Vedveer’s character as an eco-warrior prince is well written and I loved how she has explored various shades of him-as a prince, as a son, and then as a fiancée with Aaditha-how his expressions and moods change.

Overall, the book is a well-written romance that is a definite recommendation if you like reading Royal romances. The book scores a 4.75/5 for me.

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