Today's guest book review was written by a customer of Smashwords.com
Author: Neha Yazmin
Reviewer: Smashwords customer
Rating: 5 stars
Available via: Smashwords, Apple iBookStore, Diesel eBook Store, Barnes & Noble Nook Store, Sony Reader Store
Available via: Smashwords, Apple iBookStore, Diesel eBook Store, Barnes & Noble Nook Store, Sony Reader Store
"It was very stupid but it was also very
true. Mukti was in love with him and she didn't even know his name."
Introverted singer/songwriter Jamie is suffering from writer's block.
Until he meets the mysterious Mukti. Suddenly, his creativity blossoms
and he feels torn - he has to see her, but can he bare his tortured soul
to her? But Mukti has her own secrets and is just as troubled as he is.
This first novel by Neha Yazmin was also my first ebook, and
I'm glad as it made it easier to read wherever I was, since towards the middle
of the book until the end I found it unputdownable. Not to say I didn't enjoy
the start, especially the opening prologue.
The story is well told, and a relatively simple one of
troubled boy meets troubled girl and how they struggle to overcome their
respective pasts and dysfunctional families with the support of one another,
but also causing them obstacles to really commit to finding one another. Of
course it doesn't go so smoothly along the way and there are a few twists along
the way!
It is a story about love, friendship, family, music, life,
destiny and soul mates. Two people who need each other to become their true
self.
Neha has a way with descriptions that make the scenes really
vivid. I loved the London setting, that London itself becomes a key character
in the story. It would not have worked in any other setting!
The recurring themes also come full circle through the
course of the book, which I found unfolded beautifully.
I also couldn't finish the review without mentioning the
songs (the lead character is a singer!). I enjoyed them all, although in parts
I did think there were maybe a few too many - but that in itself was central to
the storyline, reflecting key insight into and reflection of the characters and
their state of mind. A great mechanism to add to the story telling.
Finally my hidden gem was the QandA with the author at the
end which was a nice surprise to allow us to share Neha's experience of writing
her first novel.
I look forward to reading some of Neha's other work
but hope I don't have to wait too long!
