You Are Still the One | Himanshu Rai | Book Review

Firstly, I am in love with the cover of this book. I had not expected anything from this book, but it took me on a surprising ride of tangled emotions. This book gives me a deeper look at friendships, love, and unpredictability in life.

Trisha, a teenage girl, comes to Delhi for her treatment of Hodgkin Lymphoma with her father, where she meets Aditya, a carefree, charming Army officer. Aditya shows her a new perspective on living her life. Their bond deepens from friendship to love, but Trisha refuses to lead him on when she knows she could die from cancer. Without saying goodbye, Aditya leaves for his duty earlier, and after that, no one knows where he went. Trisha hoped to meet him again and struggled to move on in her life.

I adore how eloquently and emotionally the author writes about cancer patients' fears, pain, and suffering. I felt an instant connection with Trisha and Aditya. I want to read more about Aditya since he is such a sweetheart. The plot is too deep and powerful, and the writing style is unfamiliar to me yet readily understood. The suspense is exciting, and the ending is delightful. This novel is more of a friendship journey than a love story to me, and there are so many emotions in it that I can't stop my tears. Varun, Meetu, and Dakshit bring the plot to life as well.

The finish of this book is really satisfying, but there are certain things I would like to know more clearly, so the ending feels rushed to me. The choice of the term "sister" instead of "Trisha" makes the interaction between the siblings feel more formal. I'm having trouble connecting with Dakshit since I don't have much insight about him.

Overall, You Are Still the One makes you laugh and cry while depicting friendship, relationship uncertainty, and life. It had me on my toes as I read the entire novel. The author penned the emotional surface, and it's difficult to ignore the compelling storyline.

Recommendations

• If you like Indian books with drama, friendship, and romance, this one's for you.
• It is perfect for first-time readers.
• Pick this book if you enjoy reading romantic suspense novels with an Indian flavor.
• Only suitable for mature readers.