Looking out for a book revolving around family relationships, cousin bonding, friendship and inner turmoil of individuals. Oh yes, there is a little dose of romance too. Here is the one, Because I promised.
Blurb:
At their college farewell party, Varnika publicly rejects Sushant’s candid proposal in the most disrespectful way imaginable, leaving everyone – including her gang of cousins – dismayed. She feels that her reasons are valid, for doing this to her best friend.
What exactly are her reasons for making this upsetting choice? Did her mother’s move to Mumbai during Varnika’s formative years have a bearing on her? Or is it more than that? What is she planning to do at the NGO for eunuchs? Will she succeed in her chosen career? Would she be able to overcome her inhibitions before it is too late?
This is Varnika’s journey as she overcomes her personal reservations and professional challenges, all the while contemplating her promise to lock her heart away.
My take “Because I Promised”
There is a drama with emotions of self-denial Varnika, Sushant’s expectations of love, assertive Beena and protective Badi Maa with a gang of cousins. There are lots of characters in the plot just like the big Indian families. Married couple Avani and Swayam, who were expected to produce an heir of the family, and they have other plans. Youngest cousin Golu, caring Reyansh, understanding Tapasya and couple of uncles-aunts. Then there is another set of friends. Kakkar who had a runaway wedding, the occasion brought Varnika and Sushant closer like days before proposal evening. Ahaana who was a breath of fresh air in Varnika’s Mumbai routine life. The friend, philosopher and guide of Varnika, Ulfat Bi, a eunuch, working in NGO Home.
The plot of love confession, rejection and drama later is not something new. Standing up for eunuchs and their welfare tried giving a fresh design but it missed impact. With the long list of characters in the story, I felt most had the potential to rise stronger and create an impression. Felt like a half baked, most was Avani. I would have preferred if she had fought her battles without intervention.
I loved Sushant’s persistence and thoughtful personality, maybe a little more than Varnika. He gave serious goals to romantic heroes. However, I can’t deny Varnika is a strong, independent young woman who concentration on causes her belief and works hard for it. Strong female protagonists are always delighted to read.
I like the book, Because I promised, but I would have absolutely loved it without Hinglish words. Hindi conversations or dialogues are written in English. Not to forget about little editing tweaks. It’s a good lazy weekend read.
Related – Thirteen kinds of love
Get a copy of the book: Paperback | Kindle
About the author:
Anupriya belongs to that generation of Idiots (the proud ones though), who did their engineering first and then decided on what they actually wanted to do. She completed her MBA in Human Resources and worked in the corporate world for 8 years, before taking a professional break. A mom by day and a reader/writer by night, Anupriya is a die-hard romantic. Yet she believes that love (in any relationship) is a part of life, not, the heart of life. And she aims to bring to the world, stories around this theme.
She can be found in the dot com world at her blog, which contains her ranting about her experiences in her various roles as a mother, daughter, wife, and foremost a human being, all churned together. It is also her outlet to the world where she doles out loads of gyaan on self-improvement and relationship management.
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I like this website because so much useful material on here
: D.
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Such a lovely review buddy, congrats Anupriya.Will sure love to read this book.
Looks like my weekend is sorted. After reading the review I am intrigued to read the book soon. 🙂
Thanks for sharing your honest review , I am Surely going to read this one for next weekend
What a wonderful author feature of Anupriya.Loved reading the book.
Glad to hear that
Wow, the story seems really an great read. I would love to grab one copy for myself too. Really like your review.
When I first learnd about this book on twitter, wanted to grab a copy myself. Thanks for reminding about this and beautiful story the author has weaved.
Do share your views too. Hope you like reading this
Loved reading your honest review, Pragnya. The story sounds quite interesting, I would like to give it a read. Adding it to my reading list now.
Thanks. Do share your thoughts then
This is relaly an honest review. Good to know moms coming up as Authors. It would be my company for a lazy weekend too
Yeah good to know naa that women are riding motherhood with new capes 😊
looks like a decent reading book for the weekend. will see if I get it this soon. what i really liked was the fact that you were brutally honest about the review – which is rare !
Thank you Pragnya for your honest review. And yes, having read my own book after being published I would tend to agree with your feedback. Putting all this in my checklist for future works.
I am eager to read your next work then.
Something hindenglish dialogues are very irritating and on the second everyone will not able to read hindi. If the book is in English they should write everything in English.
I am in the midst of reading this book by Anupriya. Agree with your review, from what I’ve read so far. Good review.
Thank you Mayuri. I hope you like it too.