Book Review: HE FIXED THE MATCH SHE FIXED HIM by Shikha Kumar

Pic Courtesy: Goodreads.com

The blurb was intriguing enough to make me want to read He Fixed The Match She Fixed Him by Shikha Kumar. That’s why I agreed to review the book when the author contacted me. 

BLURB

Shreya – I'm a highly qualified Delhi girl earning an enviable salary. My parents are having a tough time finding a suitable groom for me. However, recently they have a proposal from this very interesting guy from Mumbai. I almost get mesmerised when he starts talking to me. I think I like him very much. Kunal – I'm owner of a textile company in Mumbai. My Mom wants me to get married. Again. She has recently suggested a suitable girl from Delhi. What my Mom doesn't know is that I've met Shreya before once in my life and I've been looking for her ever since. I have a vendetta to settle. The author takes you along on a journey via roads of revenge, agony, remorse, attraction, titillation, tantalisation and romance. Do Shreya and Kunal make it, or do they fall prey to their past?

MY REVIEW

I think the book has a very cute cover – that of a modern man and woman turned away from each other. They exactly portray Kunal’s and Shreya’s relationship.

The story begins in the typical Indian style – parents of the girl, Shreya in this case, searching for a suitable boy. Mahesh and Sandhya are worried as their daughter is very highly qualified and earning a fantastic salary. So much so that Sandhya gets angry with Shreya for moving on to a better prospect. She is worried that it might become too difficult to find a guy equal to her. Anuradha’s call should have been a relief for Shreya’s parents. But Sandhya’s gut says not. She doesn’t trust Kunal and his mother at all. Her mother’s instincts kick in and she’s afraid that her daughter wouldn’t live a happy life. Shreya and her brother Madhav think otherwise. You need to read the story to find out what happens when Sandhya’s instincts are proved right. 

Shreya’s character has been sketched beautifully. She’s intelligent, strong and ready to go the extra mile to maintain relationships. And she refuses to accept being treated badly beyond a certain point. What I liked best is that she doesn’t throw tantrums but handles thinks smartly and in a mature fashion. Really well written character, I must say!

Kunal is very real – his temper, his jumping-in-where-the-angels-fear-to-dread attitude, his intelligence, his wit and more make him an excellent hero. 

The whole story is about the trouble brewing in holy matrimony and how the relationship between husband and wife progresses in an arranged marriage, with a twist though.

Kunal’s mother Anuradha, Shreya’s parents Sandhya and Mahesh, her brother Madhav and sister-in-law Aastha, Kunal’s cousin Vineet and the others are all well fleshed out and belong to a typical Indian family. I can see this one becoming a mega serial on TV for sure. 

The incidents, dialogues and characterisation are the strongest points to the story. A special kudos to the author for that! 

I have a couple of points to mention that I wish had been different. It all has to do with the editing, which could have been way tighter, making the story crisp and a complete joy to read. While the story has all the right ingredients, too much of it can create indigestion and that’s what’s happened here. The last 80 pages make the novel a trifle too long for my taste. But then, that’s just my opinion. Too much explanation kind of takes away from the reader’s imagination as everything is spoon fed. 

I wish Shikha Kumar the very best in all her writing ventures. She is one great story teller. 

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in return for my honest review. 

Shikha Kumar

Shikha Kumar is an IT Manager by profession, author by passion.

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