#Reunion by Suvika

#Reunion by Suvika is a murder mystery involving serial murder on the rampage, targeting participants of a college reunion. Our protagonist Reyansh, the wolf, ultimate fixer guy of Corporate World, is the prime suspect and linked somehow with Murders. The story is about how Maya Bansal, SP, and Reyansh's love interest tackles this even when people are getting killed one by one.

Although you get the hint, about the identity of the killer few pages before the actual reveal in the book, the confirmation and motive behind the murders will surely shock many readers, especially in India.

Suspense thrillers with romantic love interests are Suvika's specialty, I have read all her books with my favorite being A Man to die for. Although certain times accused of plagiarism, the way Suvika Indianizes the story gives depth to her characters, shows them struggling with their demons, and experiences are her USP as a writer. No over the top romance or drama, just right amount of spark that keeps readers interested in leads, without overshadowing actual plot. She sketches the characters which we can always relate to even though we may not know such people in real life. Even the professions she gave to her leads in this one is highly central to story. Maya is a cop whose love interest is the prime suspect of serial murders. We can feel her struggle trying to be objective about the investigation and on realizing his innocence, fighting hard to find the real murderer. Reyansh is the ultimate fixer of the corporate world who works in shadows and fixes things for corporates. For normal people, his job may look bit shady and may increase suspicions over him, but there is nothing shady or hidden about the persona of this guy. He moves on from ex-girlfriend without a grudge, helps find a job to a friend who is fired coz of him, is a loving protective brother who fails to recognize signs of any abnormality in his sister's behavior. He is a fixer who is unable to identify issues needed to be fixed in his personal life. He is supportive of Maya's exhaustive work, worried and protective about her without being all Macho about it, and most importantly is super confident about her skills. The subtle gender reversal is highly appreciable here. Maya is a cop, tough physically working with ease in a male-dominated world. Reyansh being a professionally analytical guy is never seeing being the one who solves things with punches but uses his brain in that. If there is a fight amongst friends he will try to reason with them, if there is an unwanted obsession by a friend he would shout at her and make her see sense if Maya takes risks and uses herself as bait, he cooperates with her, staying at sidelines, confident with her team.

There is also no drama about how they fell in love. When they propose they directly do and accept it. As a reader, I also didn't felt a need for unrequired flirting or romance in such an intense thriller. But still, you will feel the emotional attachment between both leads.

The only flaw I felt in the book was there was no closure in the epilogue. It is indirectly hinted that maybe things will go good for them, but as a reader who has felt about the emotional shock of protagonists, you will want more, something greater than these not so direct smoothening of things. Whether Reyansh has the strength to move on was also not clear. I wished there was more clarity with which book was ended.

Memorable Quotes-

None in particular

My verdict-

If you are looking for not so intense but good murder mystery with Indian set up go for it…

Availability-

Amazon India

The Importance of being Earnest

So yesterday night, I had one hour spare before my usual bed time and had to travel to work early today. You know how we bookoholics don't have much grasp of time when we read. And as I am too guilty of finishing of the books at the cost of my sleep, I decided to pick a book, that is short and already read by me once, but wanna reread again.

Tada ...Raided  Husband's shelf and got The Importance of being Earnest by Oscar Wilde.  A wicked, funny classic that stole my heart when I read it first during my college days. Though 30+ old me found the girls bit dumb, but I understand that humour in story demands that.

Set in three acts, this classic comedy is light hearted, funny read that will bring a smile to your face. Also, please don't miss, how Oscar Wilde touches the issues like Classism, pedigree, parentage, Arrange marraiges, etc prevalent at that time without coming heavy on them. The most funny humour is generated vide the  paradoxical virtues that are celebrated and considered high in esteem while in real life they are looked down upon. For example Cecily's infatuation with Earnest, the supposedly Bad brother of her uncle Jack, Or the confrontation of Jack by Lady Bracknell when he proposed to Gwendolen.

Lastly like all classics, The Importance of being Earnest, still will rule the heart of Book lovers with its clean humour, funny premise and desperation of two heroes to win their lady love.

My Verdict - Always an Evergreen Classic

Memorable Quotes -

The book is a gem, with funny quotes and phrases at every page.And this post would be insufficient to quote all my favourite phrases, so I picked these  that seemed too wise, apt and funny and bit relevant now also- 

"I really don’t see anything romantic in proposing.  It is very romantic to be in love.  But there is nothing romantic about a definite proposal.  Why, one may be accepted.  One usually is, I believe.  Then the excitement is all over.  The very essence of romance is uncertainty.  If ever I get married, I’ll certainly try to forget the fact."

"I am sick to death of cleverness.  Everybody is clever nowadays.  You can’t go anywhere without meeting clever people.  The thing has become an absolute public nuisance.  I wish to goodness we had a few fools left."

Available at - Almost every good book store, free of cost online at Project Gutenburg, Hard/ Soft copy at Amazon, Crossword, Flipkart.

Where the Forest meets the stars

Well when the book is an Amazon Charts, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post bestseller, and a Goodreads Choice Award finalist, the expectations are pretty high.  Where the Forest meet the stars by Glendy Vanderah is amazing Book filled with lots of love, hope and positivity we all need in our life.

Reading the blurb I mistook it for fantasy, but even though rational explanations are given in end, the book seemed simply magical. The characters, the story arc, their past struggles, future uncertainity and the spirit with which they try to overcome these is simply amazing. I loved the way, as writer puts it, the three leads, Jo, Ursa and Gabe had created a nest for themselves. The plot, refernce to forest, stars, nesting and migrating seasons was so poetic and heart touching that by end I had my heart in my mouth, desperately wanting to have these characters Happy ending.

If you are looking for a book on positivity, hope with little bit of allure for magical feel, please read this. No words will suffice the feel you have when you live the characters of Jo, Ursa and Gabe.

My Verdict: Please read this one

Best phrases :

"I've decided language isn't as advanced as we think it is. We're still apes trying to express our thoughts with grunts while most of what we want to communicate stays locked in our brain"

"Survivors can live and love more fully than people who haven’t stared death in the face."

"If she’d learned one thing in the last two years, it was that life could be hard enough without adding petty resentments."

"Sometimes bad things happen to make good things happen".

Availablity- Amazon , Free with Kindle unlimited subscription

The Best Man by Kristan Higgins

In an age of one night stands, here comes story of Faith ready to have  a dream wedding with love of her life; only to be jilted at altar. Fast forward to three years later, where Faith is getting attracted to the person responsible for ruining her wedding- The Best Man- Levi Cooper.

Here are the leads that always felt something for each other. Even when she was dating his best friend, supposedly love of her life. Did they pursue each other then? No, ignoring the attraction over the practicality of their situation. and what do they do years after when they meet again and old attraction rekindles is the rest of the story here.

I loved Faith's family drama, and the characters that supported our leads. I loved Faith's spirit, an epileptic patient, she doesn't let her disability, her ruined wedding, small town gossip, tragedies of her past or lack of dating success lessen her optimism. Never once in entire book, even when she is broken, she seems depressed. Her relationship with her past fiance are also shown too mature.

Her relationship with our lead Levi cooper, although starts with attraction, slowly brews and grows on us. I felt some kind of domesticity whenever they both were involved. One of the rare books now, that doesn't force putting Sex in front of readers all in name of passion.  It just remains a part of their relationship, never overshadowing it.

What didn't worked for me was poor development of Levi's character. I just failed to connect with this guy. I failed to reason his logic of dating Faith, or of fighting with her. He seemed too superficial. Even his efforts for reconciliation didn't generate any empathy. I think his poor character development is the main reason, why story wouldn't stay with you long after you read it, inspite of having strong plot and other strong lead and supporting characters.

Memorable Quotes- None, but yes I had a happy feeling whenever Faith was around in book.

My Verdict - Wish the male lead had any depth.

Best to read - This one is really long, so start reading when you can justify that time. Story itself will not grip you to finish it. 

Availability -  Amazon