Diving into a book with preconceived notions can be a risky endeavor, and that’s precisely the experience I had with this novel. Initially drawn in by a cover that hinted at a central romance, the synopsis painted a different picture – one of a comedic thriller. This dichotomy immediately set my expectations on edge, creating a push and pull that nearly led to a DNF (Did Not Finish). However, persevering revealed a story with both strengths and weaknesses, particularly when examined through the lens of “Book Partners In Crime” dynamics.
Characterization: Voices and Missed Connections
One undeniable strength lies in the distinct characterization of Mira and Naveen. Each chapter’s narration was clearly delineated by their unique voices, making it easy to follow their individual perspectives. The author also employed mirroring techniques in their backstories, such as their estrangement from siblings. While this added a layer of relatable life experience, these mirrored plots occasionally felt repetitive and didn’t significantly enrich the central narrative of these potential “book partners in crime.”
Emotionally, however, the character connection fell somewhat flat. Mira’s grief concerning her aunt, intended as a catalyst for her emotional growth, felt more like a plot device than a genuine emotional arc. Her journey to embrace her feelings seemed to detract from the overall tone, hindering the reader’s ability to empathize with her fully. Similarly, the romantic chemistry between Mira and Naveen felt underdeveloped. This lack of palpable connection could be attributed to the story’s compressed forty-eight-hour timeframe, which perhaps didn’t allow sufficient room for a believable romantic bond to flourish between these supposed “book partners in crime.”
Furthermore, the characters’ overall development felt surprisingly static. While changes occurred, they were largely confined to interpersonal relationships, specifically concerning their siblings. These sibling forgiveness arcs, while present in both Mira and Naveen’s storylines, felt somewhat hollow. The resolutions were achieved internally, without meaningful interaction with their estranged siblings until the very end. For a narrative positioned as a crime-adventure, a genre where “book partners in crime” often face significant trials, a deeper sense of agency and consequential change was anticipated. While individual growth was evident, the emotional repercussions and transformations stemming from the various high-stakes situations felt underdeveloped.
Plot Structure: Genre Shift and Reader Disorientation
Structurally, the narrative appeared to be initially framed with the romance as the A-plot and the crime plot as the B-plot. However, the dynamic shifted as the story progressed, with the crime plot gradually overshadowing the romance and becoming the dominant focus. While this plot inversion isn’t inherently negative, it significantly disrupted the expectations set by the cover and initial synopsis. This genre shift created a sense of disorientation, making it challenging to fully invest in the characters and plot when the marketing suggested a romance-centric story, while the unfolding narrative leaned heavily into a criminal adventure, albeit with “book partners in crime” at its core.
One minor but noticeable stylistic choice was the author’s repeated use of the word “pregnant” to describe pauses or silences. While occasional use might be effective, its eightfold repetition felt excessive and somewhat distracting.
In conclusion, this second-chance romance, framed within a crime-adventure context, ultimately missed the mark for me. While comedic and romantic moments were present, the story lacked the essential emotional depth to truly engage and invest me in the narrative. Despite the intriguing premise of “book partners in crime” navigating unexpected circumstances, the execution didn’t quite live up to its potential.
Note: It’s important to be aware that different synopses exist for this book. The Goodreads synopsis, as of July 15th, 2022, contained inaccuracies. For a more accurate representation of the novel’s content, the Netgalley synopsis provides a more reliable overview. If you are considering reading this book, consulting the Netgalley page for marketing details is recommended.
TW: Negligent parenting (off-page), sex.
