Book Review: Tides Don't Cross by Simar Malhotra

'We're quite like plants --- some like ferns, shooting up instantaneously with a little bit of sunshine and rain, others like bamboos, taking not months but years to sprout. That doesn't make bamboo a bad plant, it just works differently.'

Simar Malhotra, Tides Don't Cross

Liked this quote and the character, Ayaan, who said this.

Let's talk about other {main} characters ---

Tides Don't Cross {Rupa Publications} tells the story of two sisters, starkly different from each other, Mrinalini and Rukmani. They have been raised by a single and dominating mother that affected them differently. While Mrinalini turns submissive, Rukmani lives her life as she likes.

'It's not about the family being good or the boy being exceptional. It's about the principle.' Rukmani emphasized. 'Your mother can't lead your life. Take control, dude. How many times do I tell you?'

Mrinalini is trying to adjust in her married life, 'trying to love' her life partner--- both imposed by her mother when she was not ready. On the other hand, Rukmani meets a gentle young man Ayaan in the magical city, Paris and falls in love.

But, life is not supposed to be like this. Sometimes, certain things don't work no matter how hard you try, how much you want. So, what's going to change? Especially for Mrinalini? What's the destination of her married life, and what about Rukmani and Ayaan?

You will have to read the book to know the answer.

First of all, the book looks attractive. I like the cover. The basic story is not something exceptional --but certain things interest you like a love affair in 'Paris', a gentle, charming hero, two strikingly different, yet close sisters and a dominating single mother.

There are some text exchanges between Ayaan and Rukmani that I liked. There's something about text/email chats. I like them. The author has sketched the characters nicely, especially Rukmani and Ayaan.

But, there's a thing about my reading experience--- I like the second half more as the first half is a little tedious for there's too much telling {and not showing}. In fact there's three page character description {without any dialogue and activity} before the story actually begins. Sometimes, characters and situations are described in a flat manner for example, 'The dream was precise and real' or 'he was witty and well-read' etc. Also, certain portions are too detailed that, I feel, was not necessary. It just stretched the story. Thankfully, the second half is crisp and racy.

The story carries little surprises that make the read interesting. I like some quotations. I mentioned my favourite in beginning. Sharing another quote that I liked ---

'Faith might not be central to you or your identity right now. But in times of trouble, it is both your best friend and your worst enemy.'

Overall, it was an interesting read. I enjoyed reading the second half. Too much telling and detailed, not-so-significant situations somehow disturbed my reading experience. You will like it if you like reading romance and family drama.


I received the book from the publisher for an honest review.