“Lust overtook my concepts of love. Falling in love and having a relationship was no less than a fairy tale for me. Maybe I liked the idea of falling in love…”
-Anamika, Forbidden Love
| PLOT
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT NARRATIONS CLIMAX ROMANCE ENTERTAINMENT |
5/5
4/5 3.5/5 4.5/5 4/5 3.5/5 |
The life each one of us lives is different. Even if we were born to the same home, went to the same college or even if we had the same routine. The struggles we are chosen to live through are different on a personal level, be it when compared with our sibling or with our best friend. No matter how close we are or how related, no matter how much we toss the coin to match the sides, no two people have the same struggles. It’s a simple lesson which the book starts with, drawing us to the deeper levels of relatability, curiosity and jolts of shock.
All You Need to Know About the Storyline. (Don’t Worry No Spoilers Ahead!)
Initially, Sayra the protagonist takes us on a journey to our own divided images which we see at several levels as she shares her deep-seated insecurities and about how it affected her relationship with her younger sister Shreya. When we first meet Sayra’s small family, it only consists of Shreya and her single mother. The circle expands taking the story forward and all throughout, we see her best friend Tara, as the only figure urging Sayra to experience the true joys of life.
The first two chapters of the book portray their mundane life and soon the two significant characters of Karthik and Saransh step into Sayra’s life. We witness Sayra’s character gaining depth as a caring sister, as a confused girl in love and as a short fuse after the part Karthik played in her life. The deep running chemistry that develops between Karthik and Sayra, combined with the knots of unforeseen events which set in motion, shaking the core of her small family will take us on a rollercoaster of emotions, surprises, annoyance, and rage from there on.
Later in the story, a series of events unfold, leaving us perplexed as to who the true culprit is. Taking advantage of the circumstance, the writer leaves profound messages on finding love at any age, comprehending toxic masculinity, escapism, revenge porn as well as on the reality that the more people we trust, the more we end up getting doomed. Amidst the bitter experiences of betrayal, heartbreak and the loop of other dreadful episodes the protagonist passes through, we find ourselves getting heated up to the sizzling romance budding and blooming in Sayra’s life with Karthik. But just when we find our solace in the chemistry of both, everything once again collapses with the arrival of Kiara, their cousin and Dhruv, someone they meet along the way of their cousin’s trip.
The way the plot progresses keeps us on the edge of our seats anticipating the next chapters to come. Although we will feel like we had too many tragedies halfway through the book, it was really satisfying to see it all add up to one person at last, all of it making sense!
Ranking Characters: From my Most Favorite to my Least Favorite.
- Saira’s Mother: For how beautifully she took responsibility for her family after her husband passed away. The way she tenderly talks to her children makes our hearts melt and for how the woman really proved her worth and wisdom in the climax which remains unforgettable even after the story is done.
- Karthik: The amount of hate the character gets up until three quarters of the book is amusing as in the end it turns upside down. The selfless demeanour of Karthik linked with his love for Sayra was worth keeping in mind. The only guy who had such a huge character development in the whole story!
- Shreya: For her calm and cheerful demeanor. For not making unnecessary outbursts and being there right on time talking sense. For her soft heart and woke self. She gradually made her way to my brownie points making her my third most favourite character in the story.
- Sayra: She clearly showed off setbacks in her character along the way through her anxious outbursts, carelessness and by being easily manipulative. Only brownie points from my perspective for her Sayra has been the way in which she expressed her sensuality bringing the notions of lust alive in the readers as well.
- Kiyara and Saransh: Since they took the responsibility of bringing the story to a happy ending on their shoulders and did it wonderfully when we least expected them to.
So if you are in for a short read that comes with spice, tears and thrill, then ‘Forbidden Love’ by Anamika is the book you should be considering for once!
You would love the book if you are into…
The book is all about how a girl repeatedly embraces her impulsiveness and sensuality only to fall prey to the same tragic events over and over again. If you are someone who loves to read female pov and melodrama with a perfect blend of romance, then this book might be what you are just out in search for.!
A soft yet touching read!
Also it could be a bummer if you are triggered by,
Soft language and short narrations. If you are a perfectionist loving deep detailing and imagination ‘flickers-lights’ here and there in the stories, then the book might make you a bit sad. Only a bit I repeat!
In addition, if reading about revenge porn, getting cheated on, having two timed and made a fool of, triggers your personal experiences then brace yourselves as this book might wake your worst demons back to life.
So get ready to explore the untold dimensions of sisterhood in the strings of love and lust. Just like the title, at times Lust can be dangerous.
