When Love Came Calling
Author: Preeti Shenoy
Publisher: Srishti Publishers
Rating: 3.5/5
It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all!
~Alfred Lord Tennyson
Love is like the right strokes in a beautiful painting. It is like the fire that lights up a cold, dark room. It is that one moment that feels like an entire lifetime! Love is the most beautiful feeling. But love does have its share of woe and weal too. Every story that begins with love doesn’t necessarily have a happy ending. Based on this simple concept is Preeti Shenoy’s new book ‘When Love Came Calling’. The story revolves around two young love birds who are poles apart yet their energies attract each other. As the story progresses, we get transported to those golden days of college when romance is freshly brewed and obstacles do not leave any chance to block your path. Relatable and fast-paced, this sweet and mushy love story is sure to get you hooked to it.
Set in the mountains, ‘When Love Came Calling’ begins with Arush, a suave and cautious young boy from Britain, who comes to Kerala, India to volunteer in an NGO in Wayanad. In a parallel world, we meet Puja, an impetuous, adventurous and energetic young girl who is sent to the same NGO to contribute her bit to the society (and apparently utilize her vacations). When Arush and Puja meet, their opposite nature and contrasting beliefs bring them closer. When in love, they view the world with rose-tinted glasses. Amidst the sharing of knowledge, developing new likes and dislikes, showering of kisses and exploring an entirely new surrounding together, they embark on an unprecedented path that leaves a scar not only in their hearts but also on their relationship. The story explores the pathos of young love. Briskly-paced narrative aids the storyline so well that the readers can finish this book in one sitting. With no complex vocabulary used, this is a simple read. The characters of Chaitra, Shanti chechi and Jenna appear only for a brief period but they definitely strike a chord with the reader. Arush’s character seemed a little unexplored. His life in the UK has little mention. All we get to know about him is through his conversation with Puja. Still, certain aspects of his personality like his inclination towards various forms of arts and his appreciation for creativity were commendable. Puja, on the other hand, is like every other rebellious young girl who is tied down by the norms of the society but her will and her energy refuse to give in.
The story touches upon many themes like that of young love, political bigotry, parental pressure, biased love of the parents and the Indian system of several things (education, governance, judiciary). The narrative is fluid without any unnecessary descriptions. The story is definitely a light read but it doesn’t linger in your subconscious mind. The timing of choosing to read this book was so good for me. I had just finished a heavy read and this book acted as a much-needed breather. Like old wine in a new bottle, ‘When Love Came Calling’ delivers a satisfying romantic tale enhanced by its bittersweet situations!
Best wishes to the author!
Buying link: Amazon