The Heartbreak Club: One Girl Vs One Twisted Legacy by Novoneel Chakraborty: a review

I've been a Novoneel Chakraborty reader since 2013 and I've no qualms in admitting that I've read ALL of his works (yes, even the ones he had written before I got introduced to him). Having said that, I'm not biased towards him. It's just that he has been an extremely dependable and consistent writer for all these years. As if you know, no matter where you're in life and what you're up to, each year, there will be one Novoneel book release and you'll get to touch base with your roots. His 18th, The Heartbreak Club: One Girl Vs One Twisted Legacy is no different in 2024!

About the book: A DARK ROMANCE IN WHICH A GIRL’S SEARCH FOR HER SISTER LEADS TO REVELATIONS ABOUT A SINISTER LEGACY.

Kisha Sen arrives in Fairmont High International School, Noida, from London as part of a student exchange programme. An achiever and all-rounder, she immediately catches everyone’s eye, including that of the school’s rugby star, Tavish Mathur. But unbeknownst to those around her, Kisha is on a mission of her own. Her elder sister, Anara, went missing from the school a few months ago, and Kisha has a tip that the notorious Heartbreak Club may have something to do with it.

The sinister club is all-powerful yet shrouded in secrecy. All Kisha knows is that they can make your life hell if they decide to. And no one appears to know how to contact them. But Kisha must make her way into the club, however impossible that may seem, if she is to find out what happened to Anara. The more she discovers, the murkier it all gets—but Kisha is not afraid to flirt with danger. Or risk her own life.

In this dark romantic thriller, Novoneel Chakraborty creates a world of passion, lies and revenge where no legacy, however strong, can stand up to a sister’s steely determination.

Let's start by addressing the two elephants in the room - his change of publishing houses after what seemed like AGES with Penguin and his shift to a fictional world he hadn't tried before - high school thrill! To say that this changed a lot would be wrong because after wrapping this book up in a few hours, I can say that the Chakraborty magic hasn't changed even a wee bit. 

Now, the cover. While it might look unassuming to say the least upfront, when you try capturing it on camera, you see the glow from the smartphones staring right back at you, making you feel like they're actually lit up with notifications in real life - a job well done by the designer and the team.

This book starts off at Fairmont High and ends at Fairmont High and everything is a part of Fairmont High. Kisha, Tavish, and THC seemed like characters we've known forever since they've been around us for a very long time and this familiarity is what kept me going for the 160'ish pages that were written surrounding them. Well-written characters have always been a selling point for Chakraborty and this book goes on to prove his mastery over 'stories,' if I can put it that way. 

They say that the journey is sweeter than the destination and rightfully so - the journey of the King, Queen, Bishop, Rook, and Pawn - are at the heart of The Heartbreak Club and you would have no idea what I'm talking about if you don't go along this journey with the characters. The Easter Eggs that I could find in the book, I have no idea if they were intentional or not, but felt like the marks of a writer who has evolved to write for himself & make it for the masses at once - making them worth it. One such easter egg that I'd love to talk about is the use of the red-black colour theme of the cover & the font used for the blurb which reminded me of the 1st ever How about the Sin Tonight cover (if you know, you know!).

When it comes to the cons, well, I missed the now so-familiar Novoneel special quotes in the book, but I know that the target audience for this book wouldn't need those quotes which we long-time readers swear by and that's okay, I think. We all need to move on with time and be happy with what has been given to us and we cannot thank Chakraborty enough for being that rock-solid picture of sanity in all our lives at least once a year through his books. The ending to the book made me go, WTF because the cliffhanger irked me off to another level, but that conversation is for some other day (very soon, I'm sure). 

Overall, this book took me on a journey and I loved it. Even though I don't have a favourite character YET, the guessing game is on and I'm hoping against hope that the next book gives me the one I've been looking for. 

To, khichdi and biryani!

To, all of us who have lost something precious...

A Thousand Kisses Deep by Novoneel Chakraborty: A Review

 2011 - 2022 

11 years

That's how long Novoneel Chakraborty took to write a sequel to the 2nd book of his life - That Kiss in the Rain. This much awaited & talked about sequel, titled, A Thousand Kisses Deep, picks up from where the first story ended and goes deep into Haasil, Swadha, Palki, and Pallavi's life, as it stands today. Before I start talking in-depth, let's see what the blurb has to say... 

About the Book: Humiliatingly rejected by Haasil, even after she thought she had him, Pallavi sets forth on a self-destructive path, seeking one life-thrill after the other. All she desires is to heal the wounds that haunt her every move, not allowing her to be herself. Neither can she forget Haasil nor can she reach him any more. That is, until she meets . . . Palki, Haasil's ex-wife who is presumed dead by the world. Talking to Palki, Pallavi realizes she has found the ultimate weapon to destroy Haasil: the one man who changed her life and persona forever. She plans a deadly set of events that catch Haasil, Palki and his current love, Swadha, unaware. As the dice of destiny is rolled, the question looms: will Pallavi destroy Haasil irreversibly using his once true love, Palki, or will she, for once, come to terms with her deep love for him? A Thousand Kisses Deep is an emotional whirlwind depicting modern layered relationships, lost love and how, sometimes, destiny's plans are quite contrary to what we have been coveting all our life. As Haasil, Pallavi, Palki and Swadha go about life seeking their personal answers and solace, they realize love, after all, is still not done with any of them . . .

I'd have to be frank here, before even picking up the sequel, I had to go back and re-read That Kiss in the Rain to even remember what the characters were upto (a decade is a long time, after all) and I'm glad that I did. I read both the books back to back and I'm glad that I did. I re-read my review of That Kiss in the Rain before starting this review and I'M GLAD THAT I DID. 

My views about the previous book hasn't changed much (or at all) since the first time I read it BUT I had seriously high-hopes from the sequel. And I must admit, Chakraborty didn't disappoint. He merged the story of yester-year and gave it a new spin with his current way of writing, making it a beautiful read. 

Among the returning 4 main characters, Haasil Swadha and Palki have undergone a massive transformation over the years which is both exciting and heartwarming to know. However, my favorite remains the same - Pallavi. In her own words, "you can only beat Pallavi if you have her permission" and she stands by it even today. 

Coming to the story, well, for me, this book was a result of an unfinished business left back in time (oh c'mon, I know you're thinking about Pallavi's revenge over Haasil after what happened in the previous book as you read this line) which Chakraborty finally found the heart to do. As an ardent reader of each of his works for, again, a decade now, it seemed fitting to me. 

The book answers every single question that the readers had. It touches every aspect of what he's been talking and hearing about in all his reader interactions over the years. This book is dedicated to his readers and it shows. So, for me, commenting on the quality of the book would be a blasphemy. It is you who should take out the time, read the book, and see for yourself if this is what you've been asking for all these years or not. 

For me, however, this book is a closure. This book marks a new journey. This book gives hope... 

To, "I love you because you do to my life what I would've done had it been under my control.."

To, being a human diary.. 

To, more books from Novoneel... 

Whisper To Me Your Lies by Novoneel Chakraborty: A Review

Every time I read a book written by Novoneel Chakraborty (and yes, I've read 15 novels, 2 e-novels, and a collection of short stories by him), the first thought that comes to mind is - 'Why did he write it?' Well, while the answer to this question might never come to me, what I do know is what his books make me feel! Whisper to Me Your Lies, his recent release, made me grin (and I know how sadistic that sounds), but you can blame it on my recent serial-killer series/news/book binging experience. So, without further ado, let's get into the details! 

About the Book- Ekantika Pakrashi has just lost the love of her life. Preliminary reports suggest it was no accident. Her boyfriend was murdered in cold blood and the modus operandi resembles that of India's most notorious serial killer of the 1990s: the Cellotape Killer. He was never caught, and if this indeed was him, then he had resurfaced after twenty-one years.

Ekantika swears to find the killer and get an emotional closure, but what she doesn't know is that in the process she may end up wounding herself irreversibly. Follow this exciting chase as the dark alley turns out to be a twisted labyrinth and it seems the killer is actually coming for . . . her.

Whisper To Me Your Lies is a fast-paced, chilling crime thriller and a poignant tale of a girl's single-minded obsession to find out who altered her life. And why.

The story revolves around Ekantika Pakrashi & the murder of her live-in boyfriend, Faizaan Ahmed, by the Cello-Tape killer. Here, the first thing I would like to say is, I loved the modus operandi. The fact that I was reading about serial killers and unsolved cases made me actually connect to the book on a deeper level than I expected. Now, the book comes with several other characters with stories of their own, that makes the story what it is. The return of a well-loved character from his past book brought out a vocal wooting and an ear to ear smile from my side for sure! And somehow I would want to see Taksh return in some other book as well. Personally, though, I also did a little dance at seeing 'Vanya' as a character! 

While reading the book, I had made several assumptions along the way, but let most of it to rest because I know better than this. Chakraborty won't let anyone even wildly guess what's going on without making us dance on our toes for quite a while first. 

Next up, the narration. The book shifts back and forth into the past and present through the eyes of different people. The best part about that is, you can visually shift through the distinct narrations, all thanks to the different styles of font used for them (no, not his usual italics), which you would only notice if paid keen attention to. If there's one thing that Chakraborty has managed to keep up with over a decade of writing novels, then it has to be his flawless writing style. 

The book explicitly mentions revenge as a theme. Or, is it? Well, I'll leave that part for you to decipher as you pick this book up on your weekend binge reading session. At almost 300 pages, I completed reading this book at a stretch and isn't that what it's supposed to be like when the book is unputdownable? After one point, you make it your day's purpose to figure out who the Cello Tape Killer is and won't be able to sleep before you know it! The revelation, however, didn't disappoint. 

Do I really have to speak about the cons of the book? Sigh! Well, if I have to mention something, then probably I'll say that this book had the typical Novoneel Chakraborty essence in it, but somewhere deep down, it didn't. Don't get me wrong here, the book answered a lot of questions going on in my mind most definitely. But maybe it was a few places which felt..umm..I don't know..like something could've been polished? But then again, you can blame this nitpicking as a con of my profession! 

All in all, though, the third book of the Obsession Trilogy (after Roses are Blood Red and Cross Your Heart, Take My Name) deserves a read for sure as I forcefully stop writing more and give this one a 4.5 out of 5! Here's looking forward to being a Novoneel Chakraborty reader for the longest time ever! 

Cross Your Heart, Take My Name by Novoneel Chakraborty: a review

 Wait. 

Give me sometime to breathe. 

Yes. 

So, as I wrap up Novoneel Chakraborty's latest, Cross Your Heart, Take My Name; I can't help but think about relationships and marriages. Marketed as a slow burning suspense thriller, this is one book is a beautiful amalgamation of both the way the writer is known to write all these years and the way his writing has matured to become. This book is filled with layers and no one will be able to grasp the intensity of the book in one go - I can promise you that.

About the book: Garv Roy Gill and Yahvi Kothari meet at an airport lounge by chance. Six months later they find themselves consumed by the proverbial once-in-a-lifetime kind of love. Bored with their mundane daily routine, their adventurous streak makes them decide, one day, to escape the present and begin a new reality somewhere far, far away. Just that the day they are supposed to meet and escape, Yahvi doesn't turn up. Then she doesn't respond to Garv's phone calls or messages. And mysteriously Yahvi vanishes altogether.

Days later, as a grieving Garv stumbles upon her Instagram profile, which he didn't know existed, he is shocked to realize that her every post is probably a clue to the truth behind her disappearance. Except, the more he unearths the meandering truth, the more he learns about a certain side of Yahvi which changes the way he saw her. And the way he understood love.

Cross Your Heart, Take My Name is a beguiling tale about urban loneliness, fickle relationships and our need for companionship as depicted by the twisted journey of two individuals, caught up in their own emotional plight, blurring the lines between crime and sin.

The main protagonists of the book are, as usual, two girls and a guy - Garv, Yahvi, and Nihira. Each of them bring to the fore aspects of the urban relationship and companionship that we all have either felt within or around us. It's a story we all know but has layers which we fail to admit, even to ourselves. The supporting characters do their job exceptionally well and they come and go gracefully. 

The writing style, and I will never be tired of saying this, is flawless and smooth sailing. There is not one point in the book where you will get bored. Be it from the story or the underlying meaning of the scenes or dialogues, you will close the book with a lesson for sure. This book will bring a new side of Chakraborty to the readers which I'm sure a lot of you will come to love. 

It isn't a book where you'll be able to picturise something as clear as day. This book will make you think about how your life and relationships are like. You will start questioning yourself and that's the cue to an excellent book, I believe. If you're looking for a light read, this isn't for you, dear friend. But if you're looking for something that can add value to your life - Cross Your Heart and Take My Name - is the one you should pick up. 

Amidst all the psychosexual thrillers Chakraborty is well known for, this is a deep rooted breath of fresh air for a very niche audience, I would like to believe. The climax binds the book and hits the reader pretty hard. 

As far as the flaws are considered, personally, I would've liked something more towards the end of the book. I can't pinpoint what exactly I am talking about but there was something at the end of the book that was missing. Or maybe, just maybe, the book had me thinking so much that I craved to know and read more about the protagonists by the end of it. I also felt there were a few sections that reminded me of fragments of his previous books but I blame that on my overactive imagination.

Apart from that, there were a very few portions within the story which felt repetitive and I would've preferred them not to be there but they were within reason and didn't interfere with the reading flow at all. Who knows? Maybe you wouldn't feel them to be so at all. 

All in all, this is a wholesome read that can bring the truth of your relationship in front of you and make you sit back and think! It's been long that I've forced myself to rate a Novoneel Chakraborty book and the ratings for his particular novel, I'll leave upto you... 

Half Torn Hearts by Novoneel Chakraborty: a review

Novoneel Chakraborty has consistently maintained that his fourteenth book,  Half Torn Hearts is his most autobiographical work till date. Now, having finished the book I know how it surely is but also,  how skillfully he has knitted the story to seem fictional to the world. I asked him if he had a favorite character from the book, he's spoilt for choice,  he said. A seemingly simple cover where the title is mentioned with unassuming pictures of stone, pappers, scissors is something that is the first undertone that Chakraborty has set up.

About the book- The greatest loss in life is what love kills within us.  Life is good for Shanay Bansal-he is due to get married in a few months and has been nominated for a prestigious award by Business Right Now.  Until he receives a mysterious voice note from an unknown number one night. It's a woman's voice telling him that be is part of a story he is not aware of.  But a story whose ending only he can decide. Curious, Shanay plays along and is introduced to Raisa, Nirmaan and Afsana. By the time the story comes to an end,  his life has turned upside down. Half torn hearts is a gut wrenching story about three people who experience the unbelievable highs and the unimaginable lows that one can go through only in love…  of the rarest kind.

Okay!  So now that I have completed this book in just a few hours and have bombarded my feelings while reading this book to n number of people, here's my time to articulate whatever I felt. Half torn hearts is a personal story and that reflects in the writing style of the author.  Yes, it has a very typical Novoneel Chakraborty feel but the whole book has come from a place that is deep inside the heart. Something, only his loyal readers would understand.

Having said that, the four characters spoke to me. Once I was somewhere in the middle of the book I could feel that whatever is happening in the book is happening around me for real.  I could see, feel and touch Raisa, Nirmaan and Afsana. Tushara's poems made for a great accompaniment to the book and I'm so happy the author put a step forward and turned his poem writing skills to good use. All the characters had a graph of growth and it was well visible. As far as I am concerned, nope. I don't have a favorite character either. I rooted for all the three characters and their perspectives. But well,  I have my reasons to dislike Afsana a wee bit at times.

Coming to the story and the narration skills.  A love story coming from his fan induced title of being the Sidney Sheldon of India, can be a shocker for a lot of people. But,  if we closely follow Chakraborty and his works, a love story is something that he has to write. The narrative was smooth, engaging and entertaining. The tagline of the book,  Have you destroyed yourself for someone? Makes the book all the more appealing. The story was in a way simple. Where in a lot of places you could know what would happen in the future course of the book, a lot of places come unprepared. Do we really have it in ourselves to judge the story of an autobiographical work? I don't think I have. Wrapped in the simplicity yet competition of the game stone, papers and scissors played in childhood, the book is just that for Raisa, Nirmaan and Afsana.

The cons of the book, as usual were very few.  Barring a few typos that are blink and miss. I was expecting a more fast paced book which would be his usual edge of the seat one but the fact that I cried at a few places and smiled while the book ended mars all the criticism that I've put forward. I am not going to rate the book this time for I'll leave it to you to judge the book and rate it for me.

To end it, Don't you think love is freedom?

“Zamaane se chupke,

Ek band kamre mein,

Parde kheech ke,

Bistar pe beeche chadar ko kuchalke,

Ishq nahi hota.

Ishq,  khule mein hota hai… “

Cheaters by Novoneel Chakraborty: a review

I'll begin with quoting Novoneel Chakraborty from Marry me, stranger, “Cheating is not an action like kissing someone or sleeping with someone. Cheating is when you feel the pressure of being faithful to someone because of someone else. When you suddenly realize, there's an option. That realization is cheating!”

Chakraborty's 11th book had to be special. This book is something the author wanted to write for a very long time and is surely an example of writing for the world what the author wants and not what the world wants to read. Cheaters: Nine stories that explore the other side of love. We all love mushy lovey dovey romances and we all hate admitting to cheating. This book, after multiple romantic thrillers and a majorly love story series (the Forever Series) brings forth the author's choices as a writer and is surely much needed.

According to the back cover: Nine stories. Nine ways it can all go wrong. None people all their experiments. Cheaters, Novoneel Chakraborty's first collection of short stories, examines the theme of adultery today when the definition and dynamic of a romantic relationship are undergoing unprecedented changes. These nine short stories are experimental and complex, much like modern day relationships.

Period. “Experimental and complex, much like modern day relationships!” That's what I am gonna write now. Because, there's nothing more apt than this line. I'll start with admiring the cover. Till date, I could proudly say that the first cover of How About A Sin Tonight was the best of his covers. This cover, beats that. Done in red and black (the colors of love and cheating?) and that godforsaken dagger tugs at your heart at the very moment and you feel like getting the book. And then you have expectations.

These nine stories mentioned in the book are very unlike what everyone has read of Chakraborty. He has been known for writing characters that are universal. Everyone could relate to it. But in this book, each story has a different character and only the people of the backdrop the book is settled in would relate to the characters. It's not for the mass (or is it?) This is a serious and a subtle book, my dear readers. Trust me when I say that.

The Tickets are Done: The first story revolves around a young married woman and her blast from the past. Since this is a first story you get a feel of the usual Novoneel while reading this and then you reach the end of the story and you're jolted out of the blue with an expression: ‘ohkaay! What exactly was that?’ and this expression is for the good. The way real and surreal has been handled is commendable. God! Why can't I write more about this story? You'll have to read this and know the answer.

The vacation: By now, you've gotten used to a pattern the author follows throughout the book. Of seven parts of every story. The auspicious 7! This story is about Radhika Bose, a perfect housewife, a perfect mother and her life altering secret vacation with her internet lover. It's forbidden. Trust me. To even admit to the fact that something like this actually happens in real life. But it does. Trust me! I personally loved the sketch of the whole story and how the forbidden is also written to make it appealing.

Tomorrow is cloudy: The third story. Main characters being N and R. And people are sure to imagine who the N and R are. I imagined too. Just being honest! This story would be one of my close to the heart stories. This story delves deep into the What if’s of life. What if you meet your estranged lover after years at an airport? What if you find her pregnant? What if you want to talk but you don't want to be approached either. Oh, by the way, your spouse calls you RIGHT THEN!

Clicks: Eklavya (I know, the name brings in a lot of memories for every Chakraborty reader) is suffering from the monotony of life. He starts clicking his surroundings, a new found love. That's when he clicks his fiancée with someone. Can it not happen with you? Or me? What will we do if it does? The book asks that and much more. Answers too? Understanding the whole point of the story, I somehow felt still there was something that was missing. The end, could've been sharper?

The Whore and the Wife: This has to be one of the best stories of the book. A story of empowerment at its core, it traces one night of the life of a prostitute (whore! How I love the word) and her connection with the wife of her client for the night. The two women, without even knowing, alters each other's journey of a lifetime (and probably the man's too? *Wink*). It connects on a personal basis somewhere and the core of the story remains intact.

Weekends: Read this story. Please. The only story in the whole book that reeks of love making. Sex, I would rather say. And God, Novoneel aces the story. Regular readers might heave a sigh of relief. But then there is a twist in the tale. And you do a double take on the whole story of Devang and Kratika and I'm sure there will be a smirk on your face just the same as the author's when he wrote it. The story takes a social turn but with a point where it is so relatable.

The flight is on time: Siya Mishra and Ram Mishra. Siya writes an email to Ram after she's accused of her character. Somehow, in this pack of 8 strong stories, this falters a bit. But again, the email ends and the story doesn't. The twist in the tale brings you to think, again, what if? Only if it could've been more explosive. But then again, this happens. This story was needed to be told.

Children: My personal top favorite of the whole book. Shayan and Priyanjali. The way they connect with each other over the memories of their sons, now no more, in a Kolkata back drop somehow connected me too much to the story. One of the longest stories of the otherwise crisp and short book, this story has a much deeper connect than all the other stories the book has to offer. Agreeing with the author, it couldn't have been with any other background. They had to be Bengalis. Please, it's a request! This story has to be told to a much wider audience. In all forms possible. I cried and even smiled at the end of it.

On bed with strangers: The final story of the book is surely not for the mass. You would need to do a double or even a triple take on the story to know what exactly the story stands for. Having been an ardent reader of the author and having attended most of his sessions it was a bit predictable to me but to the people I know have read the book, this was the most unpredictable story.

Cheaters is a journey. And it all comes back to the quote I referred in the beginning of the review. It's all about the realization. This book breaks down the quote and represents it in a way where probably you would want to go back to one story at a time in various points of your life and experience them all new. I won't say it is one of Novoneel's best. No. It isn't. But what it stands for is something a novel would never have been able to represent. I would want to read more short stories from the writer, yes. This book is difficult to rate, also because each story has something different to say. I'll leave without a rating as this journey is something you should live and not rate. I've lived it. Would you?

Black Suits You by Novoneel Chakraborty: a review

F.R.E.A.K!!!

I am speechless right now. It has been an hour since I finished reading the much awaited book of the season, Novoneel Chakraborty’s 8^th, Black Suits You and I can still feel my heart beating louder than it ever had and my parched throat. (Did I mention that I did not even touch water for the past 4 hours that I have been reading this?) His last release, Forget me not Stranger (concluding part of the stranger trilogy) had to face a lot of criticism as much as it garnered the love of a few set of readers. His readers clearly were divided into this fine line but I can give it in writing (quite literally so) that this book would again unite them into being one- lovers. The mysterious cover that came up with a tagline during its teasers “You think you know your partner? Think again” more than makes up everybody’s mind into buying this book and the blurb of the book, adds on to the feeling.

According to the blurb- Twenty-seven-year-old Kiyan Roy is the reclusive author of the bestselling erotica trilogy, Handcuffs. When he appears in public for the first time to promote his books, his readers fall in love with his good looks and wit. However, one of them gets too close. Kiyan is followed and seduced by a mysterious girl who pursues him across cities, book events, hotels, luncheons and media interviews. Soon, he becomes obsessed with her and falls for her charms. As Kiyan gets sucked deeper and deeper into this dark and twisted love affair, he is forced to surrender all control. His life and career slowly begin to unravel as this girl lead him down a dangerous path. But is it already too late to rectify his mistakes? Will the path to desire end in doom? Black Suits You is a gripping, fast-paced and clever psychosexual thriller that will keep you guessing till the end.

And it surely stood by what it promised. This clever psychosexual thriller kept me guessing till the end on the edge of my seat. The book, to begin with, is divided into three parts and as often as I have heard the author exclaiming, this book is also about the 3 Act structure that he believes in. Every act brings with itself different twists, turns, answers, questions and with every act ending, you would be more than eager to know what the next act has in store. Disappoint, it will not. Now that I have told you about the 3 acts that are there in the book, let me speak about the cover.

I agree to the part that probably there would be a lot of people who would be disappointed with the cover at first glance because the title says Black Suits You and the cover is in green but trust me on this, if you have read the book only then would you understand why was it so necessary to be what it is. You open the book and then you see the prologue. As I kept on flipping through the pages and rolling on this roller coaster of a book, I had a smile on my face. Or, was it a smirk? I would never know but what I know right now is the fact that I would love to read this book again. "Clever" would be an understatement when this book would be described because the way this has been written, it undeniably has an essence of Novoneel Chakraborty which was missing in his last book. This book is so many questions and answers, all at the same time.

Coming to the narrative and the story. This book has been written with a lot of sincerity and it shows in the way it has come out. You get to read every feeling that the author has wanted to express through the book. The story has twists. Oh wait, TWISTS. In a very typical Novoneel way, the author leads on the reader to think about something totally else while he ends up writing what he wants to write and the surprise quotient for the reader is unmistakable. The literary device that is used in the story is unique and it also makes sure that the reader keeps glued to the story. Since it is a psycho sexual thriller, the book has sex. A lot of it. And the way that the term "psycho sexual thriller" has been used in the book speak volumes. It plays with your mind and I dare say this here, do not believe what you feel or see in this book. It is wonderful to see a narrative which has used "sex" as a major weapon in the book and has yet remained in its boundary, never treading into the cringe worthy genre.

The characters. Ah, the characters! Kiyan Roy, Kashti and Anaysha. I will not say who my favourite was because all of them were such wonderfully layered that it might spoil all the fun. Such well framed characters are the soul of any novel and Black Suits You works because of them. Without them being what they are, this story would have been incomplete. This story is a very limited character story and the book doesn't have more than 10 characters (it is far lesser in number) which make the book all the more worthwhile. The moments that you spend with these characters make you love them, hate them, be sympathetic towards them and be unsympathetic towards them all at the same time. This book is all that people would want to read from mister bestselling author! Given the different small elements and hints that the author has left at different places of the book, it would really be up to the readers to understand them and feel the roller coaster of the book. Eagerly, I would wait on what you think after reading the book.

Coming to the cons of the book I would want to say that since I have been following the works of the author since book 1, this book lacked the one liner quotes that he is famous for. But having said that, there are enough paragraphs that would suit your status and display pictures. Dangerously treading the lines of a few of his earlier books, this book takes a U turn and brings with itself an essence that is its own. I also didn't like the font in which Black Suits You was written. There weren't any grammatical errors in the book and the flow was well maintained all throughout. The end is something that I loved and that is why, I am requesting you, earnestly- DO NOT READ THE LAST PAGE FIRST. Expectations, fulfilled. Satisfaction, achieved. For me, this book would be 4.75 out of 5.

And,

"You came to me wearing a story,

I stripped you bare, making sense.

You teased me with your naked thoughts,

And we make love, intense..."