Review:

“Everything in the world can be solved. Every crossword has a solution; every maze has a way out. We just need to be patient enough to find the answer.”
~ Married on Paper by Akriti Sharma.

Well, another book I added to the list of books I will reread and this is one such book. Book 80 of 2023 is a book that I will treasure forever, and go back to again and again, every time I feel chaotic, every time I feel lost. 

Next time when you ask me the kind of partner I need in my life, it would be Mishkat from Akriti Sharma’s married on paper. Yes, call me Cheezy, but here, I found myself in Nasya and wish to find a partner like Mishkat. To describe this book dramatically, it is more like Bunny (Nasya) found his Naina (Mishkat).

When I think about the title, I felt like it will be just another story of fights, divorce or a casual marriage, little did I know, this book is going to change my perspective and the way I look at love and marriage. It’s completely the opposite of what I thought. Akriti Brilliantly weaves a tale of marriage, loss, hope, friendship and Love. 

Mishtkar’s Dadu’s condition is deteriorating and as he rushed home to meet his only family, he is greeted by Nasya who informed him about his condition. He spends more time with Nasya as he takes care of Dadu and love blooms between them. Unaware of their feelings, Dadu puts forward his wish before them. And as they become aware of their feelings and situations, they agree to get married.

While they are married, they promise each other to never come in between each other’s careers, and never compromise on their dreams. They had a price to pay, as they lived apart in different countries trying to fulfill their dreams. Life is always full of possibilities, and the couple got their chance when Lasya got an opportunity and she is all set to shoot her next film in London and stay with her husband. How will things grow between a couple as they will be living their normal life apart from the vacations? 

Akriti Sharma’s “Married on Paper” is the journey of Nasya and Mishkat who finally gets time to spend together in London. As they start spending time, they discover more about each other and their bond grows. And the best phase of their lives begins as Akriti captures the beauty and charm of London along with Nasya and Mishkat.

With the growing romance, they get to know about each other’s vulnerabilities, the invisible parts of their lives, and their experiences and trust me, when you read that, you will fall in love with ‘love’ all over again. The plot of the story is captivating and to the point, with layers of love, friendship and oneness. Here Akriti touches on the important topic of mental health and conveys the message of how only ‘we can save ourselves, if we will to’, by taking the help. As the story proceeds, the couple gets to know more about each other’s life and lifestyle, the situations they faced being apart, and how people around them have made their lives easy and difficult at times.

Nasya, being the top actor has found herself in traps many times, with much negativity around her with trolls and rumours.  Mishkat is a top psychiatrist, and never misses a moment when his wife is disturbed. He can not be her psychiatrist but can help her heal by being her friend. Nasya the inquisitive bear has many questions about many things and Mishkat answers them all, explaining his perspective. With Mishkat you see life from a different perspective, and as with his answers and actions, he grows the reader’s expectation of a partner.

The crisp, descriptive narrative and bewitching writing style, add charm to the story making it easy and relatable for the readers. As we dwell in their lives, we often find ourselves in their situations. Be it a long-distance relationship or living for small moments. We will enjoy reading about their blooming love, we feel the pain they felt in their past, and we feel the anger, and their fear as they face certain situations.

Also Read: In His Wake: Pain. Death. Retribution. by Kris Gade – Book Review

The author keeps it light and candid with cute moments of love and happiness. She adds an element of depth with Mishkat’s perspective, which gives readers food for thought. It’s calming yet powerful, and with each chapter, it gets more resounding and deep.

It’s a fast-paced story with a smooth flow of words and strong well-developed characters. Each of them has a story to tell and it’s described beautifully. Each of them teaches us something and is relatable. You’ll fall in love with Nasya’s determination, Mishkat’s way of handling things and Kabir’s efforts for his friends. One needs a friend like Kabir, a partner like Mishkat and a strong will like Nasya in their lives.

This book is full of moments and that’s what I appreciate the most. The small moments that make sense, the moments that make us miserable and worst. I loved reading the last few chapters and Nasya’s stay in London. Nasya 2.O version is the best one. I loved the way Mishkat reads Nasya. Something that I adore most about him.

This book is not like a fairy tale but a practical story. Akriti here shows the situations that are practical, something we all go through but then all it takes is the right person. Narrated from both Nasya and Mishkat’s perspective, their lives take some real turns which Akriti describes beautifully. The way he explains the reasons and answers Nasya’s questions is just amazing. Here you’ll find quotes from different books and the way Akriti connects them is commendable.

The climax of the story is satisfying and leaves readers with content and with a feeling of satisfaction. Especially the way Nasya Evolved and the importance of the Marriage certificate in their life.  In all, Married on Paper by Akriti Sharma is a brilliant, delightful read that you can count on. A book that feels like home, that celebrates love, pain and togetherness. A journey where you’ll learn a lot.

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