Sunday, 28 January 2018

Review: My Last Love Story by Falguni Kothari

Promise me you'll learn to cuss, learn to love again. Live again. Promise me you won't give up on each other.

Simi Desai is thirty years old and her husband is dying of cancer. He has two last wishes in his final months: first, that she'll have his baby so that a piece of him lives on, and second, that she'll reconcile with her old flame, who just happens to be their mutual best friend. And so over the course of their last summer together, Simi's husband plans a series of big and small adventures for this unlikely trio, designed to help them say goodbye to each other and prove to Simi that it's okay to move on without him--and even find love again. 


Kindle Edition, 304 pages
Expected publication: February 1st 2018 by Graydon House



Kristine's Thoughts:

** I received an advanced readers copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!**

I finished this book a while ago and I've been trying to figure out how I feel about it ever since. I'm conflicted with My Last Love Story and I'm not sure if I can adequately explain my reasons why.

At the centre of this book were Simi, Nirvaan and Zayaan. Simi was married to Nirvaan who was dying of cancer. Nirvaan and Zayaan were best friends since childhood. The three of them were inseparable during their teen years and Simi and Zayaan were in a relationship at that time. Now the three of them live together in the same beach house while trying to carry out Nirvaan's wish list. Did I mention that Nirvaan also wanted Simi to have his baby and was pushing his wife and best friend together? Yes ladies and gentlemen, the most unusual love triangle to date.

What I enjoyed most about this story was their time as teenagers when they were still in India. This was an extremely important part of the story in order for the present day to make sense but it was fleeting. I didn't feel like enough time was spent with the back story to give the present day the depth that it really needed in order to make it as emotional as I think it was intended to be.

I truly enjoyed Nirvaan and Zayaan but I struggled to connect with Simi at times. She had such anger towards Zayaan and I was never very clear on why. Was it because he looked like his brother? Was she angry because she still desired him? Was it because her husband seemed to want them together? Was it because he was helping Nirvaan with his dying wishes? I was never quite sure and he was nothing but kind to her and  most importantly they were friends.

There were some things that bothered me towards the end of the book that I can't explain without giving some of the story away so I won't. I'll just say that I struggled with some of the events that happened. I don't necessarily disapprove of the events so much as the timing of these events. It felt cheapened and a little tactless.

Over all this story made me think a lot. It had moments that I enjoyed thoroughly and moments that I'm not sure I'll ever understand. For that I can at least say it was memorable and would make for some great book club conversations.






About the Author

Falguni Kothari is the author of unconventional love stories and kick-ass fantasy tales. Her four novels, most recently MY LAST LOVE STORY, are all flavored by her South Asian heritage and expat experiences. An award-winning Indian Classical, Latin and Ballroom dancer, she currently spikes her endorphin levels with Zumba. She resides in New York with her family and pooch.


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