ForeverNakhrewaalis ❤️‍🔥 August 2025 Book Buddies - Page 5

Originally posted by: oh_nakhrewaali

I am on chapter 10 and I kinda agree, she is muvh more interesting than simran. But that said, I think the author can't write attraction well, like its a little bit creepy for my taste. But she has some good (and funny and real) characters.

I am continuing this one, see you at chapter 20😅

I'm halfway through the book (because I read chapter one, but for some reason didn't want to pick the book back up again until late yesterday ), and I have to agree, Sam is super unlikable so far. Every time we were in his POV, I was like 'stop talking about her boobs.' Their chemistry is okay, but it's not hitting for me the way I wanted it to. Initially, given their opposing values while having jobs that could benefit one another in a twisted way, I was very intrigued. They kind of reminded me of Ben and Leslie from Parks and Rec, but also the main couple from Plan A, Plan B (very much so giving grudging grumpxself righteous sunshine). The moments where they argue and open up to each other are great! (I also love a good meet ugly.) I just think every other paragraph having something along the lines of how physically attractive they think the person is left a poor taste in my mouth.

Also, is it just me, or did you also find most of Sam's behaviour and words to be really misogynistic? The way he talked about getting laid and the women he's been with, and on top of that, the way Karen was characterized... she seemed like a caricature; I refuse to believe a woman in her position would care to behave that way.

This was me every time one of them would tell us about their lives. It's like you said with Saumya Dave's writing too, I think some authors just don't like the 'show, don't tell' rule. (Other than that though, I think Sara Desai's writing is pretty solid.)

Oh my god, so true. It's like they have to tell everything about their life in one shot, there is no moment next where we can talk about something. And about sam being misogynistic and judging someone else for doing the same was kinda funny😅

I didn't find much chemistry too, maybw because his obsession with her boobs ruined it🙄

I don't even knoww why karen existed🙄 she could just have been an old colleague and (idk if it's spoiler for you, but I'll say it) she sees them together and they are a bit chummy so she misunderstands

Originally posted by: oh_nakhrewaali

Oh my god, so true. It's like they have to tell everything about their life in one shot, there is no moment next where we can talk about something. And about sam being misogynistic and judging someone else for doing the same was kinda funny😅

I didn't find much chemistry too, maybw because his obsession with her boobs ruined it🙄

I don't even knoww why karen existed🙄 she could just have been an old colleague and (idk if it's spoiler for you, but I'll say it) she sees them together and they are a bit chummy so she misunderstands

Yeah, like, how are you out here trying to protect your sister while saying awful things about women?

You are continuing this one though, right?

Originally posted by: oh_nakhrewaali

You are continuing this one though, right?

Oh, for sure! I'm gonna try to find some reading time today.

Originally posted by: oh_nakhrewaali

Ah,the unromantic falling for the manic pixie dream girl trope is here😪

Also, what's with Sam and muh pe ladko ki beizzati karnaa, chill dude😭

I laughed out loud when Sam called Daisy a manic pixie dream girl (like, nah dude, that's your girl). Did you also get those vibes during the fountain dance specifically?

Some of them deserved that beizzati, but with others he took it too far. I liked the date with Baboo/Bob because that was the type of petty argument I was waiting for from them, with some poor unsuspecting soul stuck between them.

I'm still only on chapter 17, but how did you feel about Royce as a character? I thought he was, unfortunately, a very accurate representation of corporate scum. But the lack of social skills and decorum pushed him into cartoon villain territory.

Originally posted by: foreverlazy

I laughed out loud when Sam called Daisy a manic pixie dream girl (like, nah dude, that's your girl). Did you also get those vibes during the fountain dance specifically?

Yeah man, the fountain scene🙄

Some of them deserved that beizzati, but with others he took it too far. I liked the date with Baboo/Bob because that was the type of petty argument I was waiting for from them, with some poor unsuspecting soul stuck between them.

Bob started off well and then it's like the author remembered oh shit, he isn't the lead. I know they deserved being insulted, but muh pe kaun karta hai and who doesn't realize they are being insulted😪

I'm still only on chapter 17, but how did you feel about Royce as a character? I thought he was, unfortunately, a very accurate representation of corporate scum. But the lack of social skills and decorum pushed him into cartoon villain territory.

Yeah, I didn't really like how he is in start, but after you finish the book, lemme know what you think of royce

Answers in bold

Finally finished the book! I think Sara Desai shows a lot of promise as a writer, and I am trying to give her some grace, as this was her debut novel. I think that she's really funny, be it dialogues or situational comedy, and I see her attempts to use prose in interesting ways. I also loved Layla as a character! I think she was the most well-written part of the book; she was relatable, and messy, but in a more endearing way. Her heart was always in the right place, and she really stood her ground when she needed to, especially against Sam. (I would read an entire book about Layla's misadventures in life; her previous relationships all sound so crazy, you can easily get a 10-season sitcom out of it.)

What didn't work for me, was Sam. It was hard to be invested in the romance because Sam was rarely a likable human being. I also think that some of the writing felt very choppy at times, specifically when transitioning out of dialogue. It's also why I had a hard time connecting to some of the emotional beats; they just didn't hit in the way I think was intended. Oh, and the final resolution for Nisha's monster of an ex-husband fell flat for me. Super happy he got what he deserved, but Nisha clearly just wanted to move on, so that whole exchange at the end was really weird.

Shoutout to both Karen and Royce for coming through for Sam in the end!

Originally posted by: foreverlazy

Finally finished the book! I think Sara Desai shows a lot of promise as a writer, and I am trying to give her some grace, as this was her debut novel. I think that she's really funny, be it dialogues or situational comedy, and I see her attempts to use prose in interesting ways. I also loved Layla as a character! I think she was the most well-written part of the book; she was relatable, and messy, but in a more endearing way. Her heart was always in the right place, and she really stood her ground when she needed to, especially against Sam. (I would read an entire book about Layla's misadventures in life; her previous relationships all sound so crazy, you can easily get a 10-season sitcom out of it.)

What didn't work for me, was Sam. It was hard to be invested in the romance because Sam was rarely a likable human being. I also think that some of the writing felt very choppy at times, specifically when transitioning out of dialogue. It's also why I had a hard time connecting to some of the emotional beats; they just didn't hit in the way I think was intended. Oh, and the final resolution for Nisha's monster of an ex-husband fell flat for me. Super happy he got what he deserved, but Nisha clearly just wanted to move on, so that whole exchange at the end was really weird.

Shoutout to both Karen and Royce for coming through for Sam in the end!

Bro same, I wish instead that somehow Layla had been the one to help Nisha. Like Ranjeet was her date and she somehow captured and went live with him misbehaving (also giving an closure to her blue fiesty youtube video arc)

Sara wrorte about layla's other other cousins in her mg series, but I honestly wish she wrote about nisha instead. Daisy is cool and all, but she didn't seem that interesting in the book she was introduced for me to want to read about her. Heck, even Sam's and Layla's parents seemed interesting.

I do want to read about Royce🙈 imagine him being gay and falling for a Indian himbo😭

I think Sara is funny, just doesn't have that much emotional depth, atleast as first time author

What rating are you giving this one?