Book Review: 'The Friend Zone' by Abby Jimenez

I have a confession to make – for someone who loves to read romance novels, I have not been doing a lot reading recently. I always find something more distractive – whether it’s a TV show that I’m watching for the nth time, or silly videos that unnecessary or just work because that does take a lot of my time. Whatever the reason may be, for I have not been reading a lot and so, I have not been writing a lot. Not good, I know.

So, with temporary quarantine on the cards because of the current unfortunate pandemic, I leapt to one of my many new unread books, this one called, ‘The Friend Zone’ by Abby Jimenez.

I found about the book on Book Depository while ordering a couple of other books, the story sounded interesting – but the title got my eye and cracked me up. I knew I had to get it.

Within three days I found myself at the end of the book, it’s not surprising – I do inhale books that intrigue me, but I haven’t done that in so long – it felt back to being myself again. Whatever that means.

Back to the book, just a little bit about it – the book has been written from two sides of the story – both the protagonist – the girl and the boy. Kristen and Josh. They met through their respective best friends who were getting married – as their maid of honor and best man. They hit it off soon – but Kristen had infertility issues that needed urgent medical care and Josh wanted a big family. But, they both wanted each other.

It’s interesting how the story progresses – especially knowing both sides of the story. Usually it’s a situation of OMG JUST TELL HER/HIM. But, that wasn’t often the case. They both knew exactly what the other wanted – eventually. But, it was all the hurdles that came along the way that they had to deal with together.

The book deals with some really honest infertility issues that most women deal with and the ordeal it becomes on their mental, physical and emotional selves. It is about love, but it’s also about friendship, crazy mothers and importance of ice cream sundaes and fries a the same time. It also proves a well-known theory that all firemen are really hot. Hehe.

It is well-written, witty, honest and easily relatable. I was shaking with laughter, giggling and blushing at the romance and crying – nah, weeping – at the sad parts.

I would definitely recommend reading it!

Get your copy here: https://www.bookdepository.com/Friend-Zone-Abby-Jimenez/9781538715604?ref=grid-view&qid=1584172846652&sr=1-2

Valentine’s Day: Where’s the cheese?

I can sense it as I write, a lot of my own best friends will be like, ‘what the hell, Swati!’ But, I cannot help it! I’m reading about love, and it’s Valentine’s day and I don’t see a lot of love! And while I’m a newly acquired advocate of self-love and self-relationships, I’m sorry to say, but, where is the cheese?!

Before, my own dear best friends you question my sanity for the nth time again, I respect feminism or willingly being single or not being in love. I know I celebrated last year by sending all of you a giant flower bouquet for being the super supportive squad, that you are. But, you know despite all circumstances and idiot boys, I’m a true romantic and love of all things cheese (including actual cheese). So, when you try to argue my sanity, bear in mind, I love ‘love’.

Sorry for drifting away, but I think that was important to not get worried phone calls and facepalm emojis. Getting back to the topic, Valentine’s day is about celebrating love – all kinds of love – we have that figured out. And yes, wow it’s fantastic that people don’t want to celebrate it because really, love should be celebrated every day. But, are they? What are they doing to celebrate love every day?

Take the day as a token day – Valentine’s Day is a reminder to keep celebrating that love that you apparently already do every day! And what is wrong with that? I personally blame all these “aesthetic Instagram pleasers” for this trend. I was discussing this with my crazy friend, Radhika, who FYI, totally agrees with me, and she said, “Every day is self-love day, but Valentine’s Day is love love day.”

So, if you’re reading this and whatever be your relationship status – CELEBRATE IT! If you are 1/2 of a couple (god knows I’m all about monogamy but to each their own), go out for a nice dinner, maybe bring some heart candy or flowers or something cheesy along and make your significant other’s day. You might celebrate love every day, but today, celebrate it a little more. And if you are completely single, like I am, but love ‘love’, then watch a cheesy romantic movie, or read a cheesy book or take a long bubble bath or eat a box full of chocolates or party with other singles – I don’t know, I’d think these are enough examples to do on a weeknight! But, the point being, celebrate it! Bring back the cheese. There’s a lot of hate and violence in the world everywhere, a little love and celebration of love might do well.

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY.

Or you know, Happy 9-days-to-my-birthday! 

–

‘Suraj Hua Maddham’ and Some Revelations

As every new year begins, everyone has new resolutions. My resolutions aren’t dependent on the new year, but rather on how far away my birthday is (February 23rd). I get into the full swing to get working on my birthday body roughly about in September/October.

In the gist of that, as Taylor Swift dropped her new album in November 2017, you cannot possibly imagine my excitement to go running listening to the album. It’s my jam. So, come January 2nd, I’m still running, still listening to Reputation. And just as my pace starts to differ and slow down, ‘Dress‘ comes on. It HAS to be the sexiest song on the album.

To recap, my exact emotions when I first heard the song were:

OH.MY.GOD.

This is a very, very sexy song. With an emotional touch. I am at a serious loss for words. I feel like this should be in 50 Shades of Grey.

“All of this silence and patience, pining and desperately waiting.”

As the lyrics mooned on, with all the “ah-ah-ah-aaaaahs”, it got me thinking – this song obviously makes me feel a lot of things. Things that another PR girl (read: Samantha Jones from SATC) will proudly raise a toast to. But, while this does make me “feel” a lot, there are more songs that probably have the same effect.

Taking my thought process as a freaky clue, ‘Suraj Hua Maddham’ from Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham starts to play, making me blush to my cheeks and thanking my stars for it being dark on my track.

It was the year 2001, and I was 8 years old (if you are doing the math, I’m 24 for another month and 21 days), when I first heard/saw the song. And since then, it’s been my ultimate love song. Till date, if I hear the song, I automatically start to blush. In that Egyptian backdrop with those plain effortless sarees and Shah Rukh Khan’s lusty looks, I had my “awakening”.

As a vain kid who didn’t know what sex was, I assumed, when people went on honeymoon – mostly in Switzerland or Egypt, they danced and ran to each other in slow motions and BAM, that was it. I was proven very, very wrong at 12 when I read my first ever Jude Deveraux. But, that’s a story for another time.

So today evening, as I walked back home, blushing pink with a huge cheeky smile plastered on my face from just listening to two songs, it occurred to be – I can’t be the only one who has a few songs like these – the kind that would make one blush in a busy room.

I can’t, right? 

 

Book Review: ‘The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris’ by Jenny Colgan

This book gave me legit diabetes. It was too sweet from the start to the finish, given it’s got a title that mentions ‘chocolate’.

The book has two protagonists, Anna and Claire- Claire used to be Anna’s French teacher- and Anna’s miserable accident landed her in the hospital, and for Claire, it was another chemo session. Claire encourages Anna (a chocolate taster, if you will), to go to Paris to work in the shop of an acquaintance. Anna, with no other options, actually ends up going.

That’s where the real story begins. The book delves a lot into flashbacks, which show us Claire in Paris as an 18-year-old- how it changed her and how she fell in love, more like who she fell in love with. What follows is a story that unfolds and builds as the plot thickens and bits start to make more sense.

There are delicious mentions of chocolate, and one very sexy man (Anna’s).

Without giving away too much of the plot, the book is about two women who fall love in with Paris and are never the same again. With a predictable plotline, I pretty much knew where the book was going and what was going to happen next. Although it had a few twists and turns, and one particular character change that I did not expect. Yet, what made me keep reading was the delicious descriptions of the chocolate and Paris. The story goes a bit flat in the middle and you’re just stuck reading and hoping this bit flies through quickly.

What made me keep reading was the delicious descriptions of the chocolate and Paris. The story goes a bit flat in the middle and you’re just stuck reading and hoping this bit flies through quickly.

It’s got several characters, all of whom who play some kind of an important role in pushing the story and forming the story line. My favourite has to be Claire’s ex-husband who was so kind and polite- and I would have loved to read and see his plot more.

The book, like fresh chocolate, is warm and delicious and leaves you happy and sad. Happy that you’ve devoured it, and sad that it’s already gone. It’s the perfect book to read on a long weekend.

You can order your copy on Book Depository!

 

Book Review: ‘A Kept Woman’ by Louise Bagshawe

‘A Kept Woman’ was a birthday present from my friend, Lucy (Hi Lucy!!). She appreciates my taste for cheesy romance novels and the author being one of her favorite, she wanted me to read her. Needless to say, I was super excited!

So, after having it for 2 months, I finally got around to reading it (in my defense, I just bought 16 new books!).

The plot revolves around Diana Foxton nee Verity. A British beautiful lady who has just married a media mogul and moved to NYC. She’s hosting the fanciest parties that everyone wishes to be invited to, she’s shopping like there’s no tomorrow and is in general giving the spoiled princess vibe. Meanwhile, “dear” Mr. Ernie Foxton, her husband, is firing people left and right in the publishing company he’s heading and sleeping with random women.

In comes Michael Cierco, a small publishing guy who is trying to make it big. Ernie first convinces Cierco to join his publishing giant company- and somehow, to prove her husband something, Diana ends up working for Michael. Though they are equally hard working, and kinda totally attracted to each other, they don’t get along.

Fast forward a few chapters, Ernie fires Michael, lets Diana (purposely) walk into a room of him (Ernie) and his mistress. This results in an angry Michael and even angrier Diana. What follows is Diana and Michael starting their own company and struggling their way up from dust.

That’s all of the plot I’m going to tell you but that’s because I don’t want to give anything away. It was a really nice book and made for some interesting bath reads. (I didn’t get too much time to devour it in one sitting).

With brilliantly elegant descriptions of their sex lives, and an essential back story that is somewhat realistic- it is an excellent read for those enjoy themselves a little contemporary romance. I know that I do. When I finished the book, the first thought that popped into my mind was that it was essentially a Mills & Boon with a well-written and worded story.

Diana’s character and feelings are very elaborate and help paint quite a picture of her character. She was easy to relate to and did not come across as a do-goody heroine- which is the case in several books. I wish she’d given more on Michael- because he sounded like a darn good character.

I’d say, buy the book and take it with you for a long flight read or to a beach vacation- it’s perfect for a relaxing read!