Monday, May 15, 2017

Book Review: Glitter and Gloss

Book: Glitter and Gloss
Author: Vibha Batra
Price: Rs.147
Genre: Romance

Synopsis:
Meet Misha, an aspiring make-up artist with some major identity issues. Her beau, Akshay, is an Indian version of Christian Grey (sans the kinky part, of course). The novel is all about how they fall in love in the most clichéd way and how their love surpasses all the (quintessential) hurdles that happens in a love story. 

Review
Though the novel at times look like a direct rip-off of 'You are Here' by Meenkashi Reddy Madhavan, featuring identity issues, divorced parents with a bohemian lifestyle, dick-head exes, a smart-ass bestie, and weakness for rum; the similarities end in the first half - and that's when the story attains a soul of its own. 

The author has handled a sensitive topic that strikes a chord with many Indian Bahus - The ultimate challenge of fitting-in. Misha is a free-spirited soul until she meets Akshay's Didi. Since Didi has the last say in Akshay's life, Misha is forced to change into a perfect bahu avatar which is as ill-fitting as a badly tailored blouse. From a buoyant pub hopper, she transforms into a kitty party enthusiast in no time. In a while, Misha feels that she is not dating Akshay, but his sister, for she has become what his sister wants​ her to be. After some necessary and neatly created twists and turns, Misha wins over Didi. Of course, all is well that ends well. But will it be so easy a task for real life Mishas out there? 

Should have avoided:
Too much of M.A.C. product placement - This is sure to make me cringe the next time I see a M.A.C. store. The language is too simple and sometimes mediocre and it looks like erotica has been forced into it just for the sake of it. (How else can you justify something as ridiculous as a "loin warming smile" in a book?). 

Also, Not sure if the author intends the book to be read only by Hindi-speaking folks since there is way too much Hindi words and expressions involved (as silly as "Chhappan inch ki chhaati"! Seriously?). 

My Rating: 2 out of 5 

Disclaimer: A review copy of this book was provided by the Author.

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