The Girl Next Door by Arpit Vageria

Lockdown was that once in a lifetime experience for all the people where it was imposed by authorities. For many, it was bonding time that they missed the moment they entered in professional lives. For many families, they had more members in the house than that of Diwali or New Year. So it was obvious when small and medium-sized cities and towns are packed with full population, there are chances that few find their life partners. On the same notion the book, "the girl next door" was written by Arpit Vageria.

My reasons for selecting the book was not nostalgia around Lockdown, but the author Arpit. I had missed reading 2 of his last bestsellers, so I didn't want to miss the chance this time. Frankly speaking, I didn't check the blurb when I said yes for a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

As I mentioned, the hero of our story is Ishaan, an RJ, settled in Mumbai for the last 15 years. He was intentionally away from his family in Bhopal to avoid family confrontations. But his mother emotionally blackmailed him and he came to home town. And when he was frustrated and thinking about what to do for the next 3-4 weeks, he saw a beautiful girl. That beautiful girl is Ruhi, the heroine of the story. Then follows a cute love story covering family issues as well. Read the book to know more. 

I know I have covered not much in the blurb, but I think you can always refer blurb of the book for the same. Coming to my impression of the story, it's a perfect light romantic story written keeping the Bollywood audience in mind, a classic Bollywood romance. And just like Bollywood movies don't go with facts about the pandemic that the author visualize in the book, just enjoy the story. 

Coming to writing style, the book is written with easy to understand language with fast pace storytelling. A good recommendation for beginners and Mills & Boon's lover. The cover photo is catching. 

On a general note, the book was missing that unique touch of Romance. I am not able to put it in words but apart from pandemic & lockdown novelty in character or dialogues is missing.

Overall a nice entertaining book that deserves 3.5 out of 5.