Book Review: Dawn's Desire by Shilpa Suraj

Book: Dawn's Desire

Author: Shilpa Suraj

Publisher: Self Published

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 259

Price: ₹125 {on Amazon}

About the Book:

It's the third instalment of the Shades of Night series, however, you can read this book as a standalone novel. 

Rishi Khatri and Sehar Mirza have a past. For Seher, that one night stand was kind of an experiment and rebelling against the unfairness of her life, but for Rishi it was an emotional attachment. Seher left without a goodbye, leaving Rishi shocked and heartbroken.

6 years, a chance encounter and a situation where they have to live in the same apartment. Rishi is still living in the past. What about Seher's feelings? Rishi has so many questions, and Sehar is carrying a shocking and painful secret. 

What's that secret? What's the destination of their relationship? You'll have to read the book to know the answers. And if you enjoy reading love stories, you won't be disappointed.

The story opens on an intriguing note. You know there's something wrong between them.

“Don’t worry about the neighbour thing. I’ll make sure we barely meet.”

Says Rishi, but you, as a reader, smile because you know they're definitely going to meet {and much more}. That's the thing about love stories, you know what is going to happen and yet you want to know how! 

As the name suggests, the protagonists of this story come from different religions, but this is not really an issue, which is quite refreshing.

Dawn's Desire is not just a love story.  It touches on some important issues in a very thoughtful way, and without being preachy, thankfully. Both Rishi and Sehar are living oppressed lives. They have their own battles to fight, difficult family situations to deal with. This story is about love, friendship, courage and the importance of making your own decisions. It talks about mental health, as well, in a subtle and sensitive manner.

It's my first book by the author and I connected with the engaging writing style. The story has several twists and turns that keep you hooked. There's a mild dose of humour, which seems effortless and makes the read entertaining.

Characters and situations are quite relatable. For me, as a reader, scintillating chemistry between the protagonists was a plus point. The best thing is that the female protagonist is strong, confident and independent but she's not arrogant. She's sensitive, understanding and caring.

'I’d rather the world sees me as I am, scars, rips and all than huddle against a man, any man, and hide.'

There are several other characters, all the characters from the previous books of the series, but it doesn't feel crowded. Their friends and the friendship is so endearing. 

Rishi and his father have a strained relationship and the author has handled it really well. I loved the last letter: to Rishi, from his mother. 

Maybe it's just me but Rishi's character description bothered me a little. Okay, so Rishi is a fighter and is huge and muscular and all that, I get it, but sometimes the description made me feel that we are talking about some giant or something. Also, I didn't get the title of the book, but maybe it's something to do with the series.

Overall, it was an engaging and entertaining read. You can buy this book HERE

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