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⭐⭐⭐⭐

I absolutely devoured this book. The first half of this book went through some of the issues that arranged marriages go through and I see many girls relating to aspects of this book. It was even more relatable as the FMC was a teacher like me!

The characters were all very well fleshed out and it didn't seem too overwhelming to read through each and every introduction. Each character had a purpose and served the plotline well. I genuinely enjoyed the subplot of Abhi and I pray that we get Abhi and Karan's love story in the next book although I can honestly see it being Ria and Zayan.

Although I had no issues with the plot, the conflict really put me off and I struggled to pick this up book again due to the constant fights that could've been solved with one simple conversation. Of course there needed to be a third act breakup, like all other romance books before this one and while I admired how naturally the writer decided to put this scene, it ended up making Aakar's character look very childish, despite him being stereotypically 'the eldest son who is supposed to take care of everyone, whether they like it or not.' The way Kriti tries to forgive him is also sort of brushed off. We see them having make up sex almost on the daily, but her verbal affirmation that he was forgiven was not powerful enough. With the way he hurt her, I fully expected her to let him pine even more.

All in all, a very enjoyable book. Perfect for desi readers who like filmy type romance. Also the songs on the beginning of each of the chapter was a genius idea. I made an entire playlist and keep listening to it on repeat (who can stop listening to Shreya Ghoshal, honestly?)

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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan is probably the most unsettling book I've ever read this year. It's a dystopian nightmare that doesn't stray too far from reality, shedding light on topics like sexism, racism and the impossible standards of motherhood.

The story follows follows Frida, a struggling mother who, after a single lapse in judgment, is sentenced to a government-run treatment clinic designed to "fix" bad mothers. What follows is a chilling exploration of surveillance, gender expectations, and the ridiculous standards set by society for mothers.

I rage-read most of this book simply because it forced me to question how unfairly society treats and polices motherhood, how there is immense pressure on women to be the perfect caregivers and the lack of compassion for those who struggle.

If you enjoy socially relevant fiction similar to The Handmaid's Tale, this is a must-read. But fair warning, you might end up rage-reading it yourselves so I suggest taking breaks to calm down before diving into the next page.

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The Woman in Cabin 10 - Ruth Ware

⭐⭐⭐

The Woman in Cabin 10 had a promising premise, but I found the pacing slow and the narrative not particularly engaging. Lo, the protagonist, felt disconnected and often too passive, which made it difficult to empathize with her. The constant self-doubt and repetitive inner monologue slowed the story down, and I didn’t feel compelled to keep reading. The supporting characters, like the mysterious woman in Cabin 10, the crew, and the fellow passengers, were introduced but not developed enough to hold my interest. With so many characters involved, it became overwhelming and hard to keep track of who was who, diminishing the suspense.

While the setting of a luxury cruise had great potential for a tense, atmospheric thriller, the execution fell short. The numerous characters such as the untrustworthy ship’s staff, the elusive "fake Anne," and the cryptic Richard Bullmer, added confusion rather than intrigue. The final twist, which could have been a great reveal, didn’t have the impact I was hoping for, and the resolution felt anticlimactic. Despite a solid setup, the story didn't manage to keep me hooked, leaving me disappointed by the overall experience.

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The Housemaid - Freida McFadden

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Freida McFadden delivers a masterclass in psychological suspense with The Housemaid! From the very first page, I was hooked, unable to put the book down. The story of Millie, a down-on-her-luck woman who takes a job as a housemaid in a luxurious home, is packed with twists and turns that left me gasping.

The characters are perfectly flawed, and McFadden keeps you questioning everyone’s motives. The tension builds steadily, and just when you think you’ve figured it out, the rug is pulled out from under you in the most satisfying way.

The writing is sharp, the pacing is impeccable, and the revelations are mind-blowing. This is the kind of book that keeps you up late into the night, devouring every word. If you love a story with secrets, lies, and a jaw-dropping ending, The Housemaid is a must-read. Freida McFadden has cemented herself as a queen of thrillers!

Perfect for fans of The Girl on the Train and Gone Girl, this book deserves every bit of praise it’s getting. Five stars aren’t enough!

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First read of 2025, what a banger to start the year with

books I’ve read in 2024 📖 no. 143

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

“There’s something in his expression that sends a chill down my spine. And then he shakes his head, almost imperceptibly. Almost like he’s trying to warn me. But he doesn’t say a word.”

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ℳ𝓮𝓶𝓸𝓻𝓲𝓮𝓼 𝓯𝓵𝓸𝓸𝓭 𝓶𝔂 𝓮𝔂𝓮𝓼 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓵𝓮𝓯𝓽 𝓪𝓼 𝓽𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓼

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There was nothing funny about Funny Story. All I did was cry.

— Funny Story by Emily Henry

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I need more books like this in the world. The kind that rips your heart into pieces and leaves you bleeding for days before patching it up and comforting me with a hug at the end.

aesthetic | The Dead Romantics - Ashley Poston

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an escape like this please

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mujhe pyaar nahi ishq chahiye.

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The way this book broke my heart and patched it up at the end again needs to be studied

"That was love, wasn't it? It wasn't just a quick drop- it was falling, over and over again, for your person. It was falling as they became new people. It was learning how to exist with every new breath. It was uncertain and it was undeniably hard, and it wasn't something you could plan for. Love was an invitation into the wild unknown, one step at a time together."

-The Seven Year Slip; Ashley Poston

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"Let's go to a bookstore and I'll buy you books" is a love language

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beauty & the beast aesthetic

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if I won the lottery I wouldn't tell anyone, but there would be signs...