Many thanks to Sarah and BOTBS Publicity for my spot on this Blog Tour.

A convenient marriage need not be a failed one.

Two lonely strangers Chaya and Gimhana kept meeting each other and decided to get together, knowing the truth. Gim was gay, and Chaya had lost her love. Both were dictated by the terms of society and the land they came from. 7 years of marriage passed by without anyone knowing the truth. But the secret got out, and they had to grow up and find a plan B to deal with the aftermath of it. True love needed to be fought for.

My second book by author Jeevani Charika, I enjoyed the flow of the story. The journey of both the characters through time was filled with pathos, yet was honest and filled with hope.

Life is messy. We’re all trying to get through it the best we can.

Who was I judge the decisions the two undertook when they got married to keep society and their loneliness at bay. They were best of friends who knew each other and were synchronized with their lives. I loved how the author portrayed them. There was a genuiness about her writing, with emotions choking me up just when I least expected. Some scenes resonated with me.

The only niggle that popped up was oft times I had to go back to chapter heading to get an idea of which year they were in. The to and fro of timelines was a bit confusing. But that was just a small thing. Gim and Chaya told their tales authentically, showing me facets of their life and the struggles they went through, including Chaya’s anxiety issues. The credit goes to the author for taking me on this beautiful journey.

Some of the scenes I could recognize, the closeness of family in Sri Lanka and their culture, it was the same in mine too. I could understand the reasons given by the characters. Discrimination is felt even today, color of the skin and lifestyle still matter to some. I too went through it. So I understood.

Sometimes the story gets to you and there are emotions you cannot express. Same happened with me today. I just have to say I loved the story and the characters and way it all came together.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley and publisher, and this is my journey into its pages, straight from the heart!! STRICTLY HONEST AND UNBIASED.

All my reviews can be read here

It was the perfect marriage… until they fell in love.

Chaya is a young woman torn between her duty to family and her life in the UK. While her traditional Sri Lankan parents want her to settle down into marriage, what they don’t know is that Chaya has turned away the one true love of her life, Noah, terrified of their disapproval.

Gimhana is hiding his sexuality from his family. It’s easy enough to pretend he’s straight when he lives half a world away in the UK. But it’s getting harder and harder to turn down the potential brides his parents keep finding for him.

When Chaya and Gimhana meet, a marriage of convenience seems like the perfect solution to their problems. Together they have everything – friendship, stability and their parents’ approval. But when both Chaya and Gimhana find themselves falling in love outside of their marriage, they’re left with an impossible decision – risk everything they’ve built together, or finally follow their heart?

Will they choose love, or carry on living a lie?

Publication Date: 13th November 2019

Publisher: Hera Books