Review

Incoherent and bumpy: these were the words that came to mind after reading this novel. There was a 2013 prologue followed by 2008 chapter which again goes back in time to talk about Kabir’s breakup with Shanaya. Somehow it seemed messy to me. I am not against nonlinear narratives but this one wasn’t it.

The prose was littered with swear words as if the author had just gotten old enough to cuss and he just let loose. 

Halfway through, Kabir stated sounding like a sensible person:

In their agony, my pain seemed so trivial.

Both escapes (there are two) were too convenient, I felt. And the climax was so filmy, it seemed out of nowhere.

The novel relies on “tell, don’t show”, lines like “I had a huge ego”, “I couldn’t afford to show my vulnerability”. These declarations without any concrete instances sounded bogus.

The power of relationship lies with the one who cares less.

The novel presents the idea that “the power in a relationship lies with the one who cares less,” but I disagree with this worldview. To me, emotional distance isn’t strength — it’s often a way of avoiding vulnerability and commitment. What looks like “power” in such dynamics is really detachment, not maturity. Real connection is built when both people care, communicate, and invest equally, rather than treating love like a contest of who can feel less — and this applies to all relationships, not just the romantic ones.

It was quite predictable. When I read aboe lines, I instinctively and instantly knew the twist that’s coming.

Some Highlights and Notes

• In their agony, my pain seemed so trivial.

Final Thoughts

It was a quick read, hardly took me a few hours. But it was so not my cup of tea. I wasn’t the target audience, that’s all I’d like to say.

Oh, and watch “Let Loose” video featurning Jackson Wang’s in his latest single music video shot entirely on iPhone 17 Pro, nice video.

PS: This is post #7100.