BOX SET BOOKS (2) - PREETI SHENOY

Novels 

• 34 Bubblegum And Candies 
• Life Is What You Make It
• Tea For Two And A Piece Of Cake
• The Secret Wishlist
• The One You Cannot Have

Author - PREETI SHENOY

Snippets & Reviews

1. 34 Bubblegum And Candies 

Preeti Shenoy’s first book. Creative nonfiction. It comprises 34 incidents from day to day life, which most of us would have experienced in our lives as well. Very interesting and emotional to read the very happening of the events revolving around every Indian home. Very simply written book with many splendid eye-openers. Its up to the readers in connecting the instances and in getting the best out of it. Though I prefer only fictional novels, this one really gave me different experience. It was very refreshing. 

Very cute light read :) 

Rating 4/5

2. Life Is What You Make It 

Ankita, the protagonist, has the world in her feet. She is young, good-looking. College life is what every youngster dreams of and she also manages to get into a premier management school for her MBA. Six months later, she is a patient in a mental health hospital. How did Ankita get here? What were the events that led to this? Will she ever get back her life again?

REVIEW

The whole story is narrated from the point of view of Ankita Sharma, the author has elegantly put forth the inner feelings of a girl. This is quite unpredictable romantic fiction, which sets it start in a very happy mode, then takes too much of twists and turns leaving Ankita with Bipolar Disorder. She begins to feel guilty for ignoring the love of her late boy friend and completely stresses herself. It maintained a depressing tone throughout and kept me going with the drama happening. It explained the bipolar disease well and gave a good awareness about it. Each emotion was expressed well. Needless to say it put me in depressed state as well :( We should always make the most out of our life and at the end of the day, it’s all about having “No regrets” 

In the words of the author,

'The book is not just about bipolar disorder. It is a story of courage, determination and growing up. It is about how life can take a totally different path from what is planned, and yet how one can make a success of it. It is a story of faith, belief and perseverance too and charting your own destiny.'

Finally Ankita did it, and made her life the way she wanted. 

Good read for those who aren’t so emotional! 

Rating 3/5

3. Tea For Two And A Piece Of Cake

After 8 years of marriage and two kids, Samir decides to leave Nisha. The narration then goes back to the beautiful story of how the couple met first, dated, loved and how Nisha was swept off her feet by the suave Samir. After the separation, Nisha decides to live independently and shifts to her old house where she spent her entire childhood. Being a single parent to the kids and shortage of money she battles her life all alone and realizes her wedding is not “a-happily-ever-after-story” Can Nisha find love again? With the same person or with her best friend who is 6 years younger to her? Can she make amends to save her marriage? A warm heart touching story! 

REVIEW

This novel is my personal favorite of this box set. I had always believed life is a mystery. It can anytime put us in any situation, leave us alone from the world or whatever. And we are compelled to face it and cannot escape. Nisha’s story took me on a roller coaster ride, made me feel elated, teary eyed etc. It was a mixture of all emotions. One should be blessed to have a neighbor like loving and caring Billimoria. I could visually imagine all the scenes. I felt as if I am the one who underwent whatever that was narrated after completing the book. So-realistic & gripping. Must read for all the couples who don’t respect the differences but bug each other pointing out the differences. 

A very breezy read.

Rating 4.5/5

4. The Secret Wishlist

The Secret Wishlist revolves around Diksha, Ankit, Tanu, Sandeep and Abhay. A single kiss has really changed Diksha’s life. She got married at the age of 19 to Sandeep, a Company Secretary. At the age of 35, a mother of 9 year old son Abhay, Diksha’s life takes a U turn. Tanu – has been portrayed as Diksha’s best childhood friend, reenters her life and tells her Ankit has been wanting to get in touch with her since long. Diksha’s cousin Vibha’s husband passes away and that is when irreversible change happens in Diksha. Diksha makes a secret wishlist of all those things she had always longed to do but couldn’t really do. The twists and turns happening post this incident, adds spice to the novel.

REVIEW

An interesting blurb and a promising story. An awakening to all the women out here, facing discontent in their marriage.  Sandeep’s character has been shown to be a typical, selfish, male chauvinist who only cares for his well-being without giving a thought to what his wife wants while Ankit is caring, compassionate and concerned. This novel shows the alternative way which a woman bravely takes at the right juncture and sets her life right. Life is certainly not about merely accepting what it offers. It is when you are poised to turn your dreams into reality.  The most important thing in any marriage is there must be proper communication and respect for each other. This message is very clearly conveyed in the novel. Preeti shenoy has the talent to create a magical story from a mediocre plot. The characters are well etched out and needless to say it is a wonderful novel. 

Rating 4/5

5. The One You Cannot Have (TOUCH)

Preeti Shenoy is back with her latest book “TOUCH”. It is a romantic fiction with three main character’s take on their love and life. Shruti is married to Rishab and is living a normal life with him. Rishab is unaware of Shruti’s past. She secretly longs for Aman. Aman Mathur is a young, good-looking man, successful in his career and after a brief stint in UK for 2 years, he’s all set to return to India. Anjali is a journalist in Tiara magazine and gets acquainted to Aman through her cousin Dipika and Vikram ( Aman’s close friend). Aman returns to India with a hope of fresh beginning. Will he ever be able to forget Shruti and move on in life with Anjali?  Will Anjali ever confesses her feelings to Aman? Grab your copy to know more about their story!! 

REVIEW

What I loved in this novel – 

• A female writing in a male’s point of view is totally elusive. 
• The story-line is very casual and at peaks of reality as if it is happening in the next door.
• The narration changes chapter wise and is told by three main characters of the book, but never it confuses the reader. 

             The book is a lesson to many youngsters of today, who get into relationships, so early in life, and later get separated due to unavoidable circumstances. Their premarital affairs surface at some point in life and haunt them. The author’s self styled jargon of expressing the feeling of both male in female is fantastic. 

Rating 4.5/5

I have a very pleasant memory annexed with this novel, as it gave me a chance to meet this splendid author along with my best friend Srilakshmi (Soon to be author) 

Pic below :) 

At Crossword Bookstore, Chennai

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