Book Review #42 : Just the Way You Are

ISIN: 978-81-8400-634-6

Genre: Romance/ Fiction

Pages: 199

Publishers: Random House India

Price: Rs. 175/-

The first and foremost thing that attracts one to this book is its young cover and the title! You cannot ignore it in one glance.

The book tells the story of Sameer, a Steve Jobs fan who is all set to start his dream job in Switzerland. He leaves just a day after his wedding, leaving his wife, Shagun alone. Thinking of her husband, Shagun reads Sameer's diary, his precious, beautiful world. She discovers a secret hidden in it, that may lead to a misunderstanding.

What's the secret? How would Sameer defend himself as he is not around to explain? What's the destination of their relationship?

You have to read this book to find these answers.

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Just the Way You Are is a humorous, heart-warming story about one man’s quest for true love.

Sanjeev's writing is really simple which makes for the book to be a fast read. By the end of the story, the true meaning of love and marriage comes out making it a happy ending.

Sanjeev has managed to bring out the confusions of a youth very well. The varied thoughts on marriage, career, love, relationships, parents, friends - all so well narrated that you almost end up nodding your head in approval with the author. The various scenarios he is caught up in, the confusions he has got within him and his quest or rather desperation to find love in life is presented pretty well.

The book starts off well, but later on seems quite stretched. 

We get to see immense growth in Sameer's character since the beginning to the end of the book.

The narration is smooth though. But the book somehow fails to convince the readers and feels a bit unorganized. The book starts in first person then it goes in diary form and switches to Shagun's point of view.

The scenes between Sameer and Shagun are written beautifully. But sadly, lack of interesting incidents and 'what comes next factor' make the story plain.

I would say I was a tad disappointed in terms of the plot and the storyline as it is a bit cliche. Slowly, the book turns into another mediocre, run of the mill kind of a romantic novel.

This book showcases the nature of deep thoughts Sanjeev possesses while describing a pure emotion like love. Sanjeev has proved yet again that he has evolved as a matured writer and presents his thoughts with utmost ease.

The characters are good, charming and charismatic in their own ways. I enjoyed Sameer and his conversations with his mom. I liked how the family dynamics were shown.  I also liked the sweet character of Shagun.

It is disappointing to note that, the book has  editing mistakes. It should be rectified in the next edition. Perhaps the book has been proofread in great hurry by the editor who has passed up a bucket full of typographical errors.

A beautiful message is concealed in this book—to love and to be loved for what we really are. That is the takeaway for the readers.

Rating - 3/5

Verdict - One time read!

P.S: This review is for The Readdicts