ARRANGED LOVE by Parul A Mittal!!!

774th BLOG POST -->>

            The 6th book of this year is done reading in a single sitting. This is what happens when you get your hands on a very interesting and heart-gripping book. Even when I am suffering with epic-kind-of-stomach-pain, it was hard for me to go to sleep/rest by keeping this book aside without turning the last page of it. :-) Finally, I am done. "Arranged Love" which also has the tagline of "Can it get more complicated?" published by Penguin Books. The cover page of book is soothing and once you'll be done reading it, you will realize that it matches perfectly with the story. This is 2nd book of Bestseller Authoress- PARUL MITTAL whose first book is famous by name "Heartbreaks and Dreams" which is story of Girls @ IIT. Parul Mittal has mentioned it during her first book's release that she turned writer just to tell the story of IIT from a girl's view after her batchmate- Chetan Bhagat got Super Success by writing about the same from a boy's view. And I disliked her first book extremely. With this book, she has categorized herself in those section of authors who got fame by Srishti Publication but opted a Major Publication House instead of Srishti for 2nd venture. :-) And I am happy to tell all that I have loved reading "Arranged Love".

               Coming to the story[I am not writing it in my language as Synopsis is exactly what the book is about without any mirch-masala added]- Suhaani is enjoying her independent status in the US and her sexy Indian American boyfriend, when suddenly she loses her job to recession. And she's forced to move back to India where her father has selected a 'boy' for her from his guitar class. Suhaani doesn't know how to tell her Internet-savvy dad and Farmville-addict mother that she's not interested in an arranged match, especially to an IlTian. She decides to dislike the guy. Except that he's not too thrilled about her either. Even when they end up working together, Suhaani decides she will not fall for this guy. But before she can turn him down, he rejects her! Find out what happens next in this racy comedy of relationships that is Arranged Love!

             Parul Mittal's first novel disappointed me a lot because I just found a simple narration about her college's life in it and I felt that she didn't have that flick of writing. But I am totally surprised to see her in a totally new Avatar in this book. Now I know how Penguin accepted her honorably. :-) All the female authoress (mostly those are married) opts to write about Arranged vs Love Story based Fiction because they give their best shot in it. Mrs. Parul has done the same. She has finally touched the nerves of what people wants from an Author with a Biography like hers. :-) The way she has connected the story by keeping the protagonist of "Arranged Love"- Suhaani the younger cousin of the protagonist of "Heartbreaks and Dreams"- Tanu is something that is a BIG WOW!!! Hats Off! The whole story right from 1st page to 232nd is interesting and not a single page bores you. I can easily claim that I will look forward to future works of Parul Mittal.

               Coming to the review- The first five pages itself notifies that the book is going to be fast paced and entertaining. Suhani's interaction with her sister Tanu as soon as she comes back to India is surprisingly entertaining. The introduction of her childhood friend- Neha is also naughty and witty. Then, her conversation with her parents especially with mother is funny and typical Indian Mother-Unmarried Daughter talk. :-) Her mother's addiction towards Farmville is funnily narrated which is really fun to read. Haha. Also, later on her mother spying the account of Suhaani's boyfriend- Jay is god damn funny. Its amusing to imagine a mother stalking her daughter's boyfriend's Facebook profile. :-) Rejection moment with Deepak is wonderfully scripted. The real story begins from there. The way Jay keeps a normal gesture while bombarding minor bombs over her through conversation that keeps on screwing her mind is another good part of the book. 

               The way Authoress has described the feeling of a girl for boy's physique is what I would appreciate because in India, it is always shown as if only boys are physically attracted while girls are quite controlled. But this book gives a real insight. Second- As some of the recent events like movies, songs etc are mentioned, it refreshes our mind because we feel as if all the characters are true and living somewhere near us. :-) Third- One Liners in the book are funny. Some of them really made me laugh.

             Coming to the drawbacks- Jay's character is boring and does not entertain. Even when Author shows that Suhaani is in love with him, all the events described with him right from start is just about lust, physical attraction and love-making. That's something off-track. Then, when the word "nipple-hardening" is used for the first time, I liked it but later on when authoress kept on talking about hardening of nipples, it irritated. Even males don't talk about erection for so many times in their book. It should have been avoided. That's all. 

             Overall, I would rate this book 3.75/5. I would have given it more if I would not have read other stories related to the same topic from female authors. And Yes, this book is a WRITTEN version of the movie "NAMASTEY LONDON". Almost. :-) Go, get the book. It's worth.

 Thanks.

 ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU