Review:

“There will always be the one you cannot have, and it is fine if that is so.”

Imagine rereading a book after 10 long years, a book that literally started your reading journey. Rereading this book again felt incredibly special because when I first read it a decade ago, I was in a completely different emotional phase of my life. Today, I understand what it truly means to have “the one you cannot have.” I loved this book back then, and till today it remains one of my all-time favourites. Rereading it felt like reading the same story from a completely different perspective, with more maturity and a deeper understanding of its emotions.

It all began when I recently read People We Love by Preeti Shenoy, which beautifully explores the backstories of the characters from It’s All in the Planets and The One You Cannot Have. As soon as I finished it, I knew I had to revisit this book. And honestly, it felt like coming home to a story that had quietly stayed with me all these years.

It’s a story of Anjali and Aman, who keep in touch via emails. Yes, in a world of social media and instant messaging, emails keep them connected, and through them blooms a beautiful friendship. Aman is coming back to India, to Bangalore, to Anjali’s city. Anjali, who cannot stop herself from talking to him, slowly realizes that she has started falling in love with him. While Anjali is excited to have Aman back in the city, Aman, on the other hand, sees her as a comforting distraction while trying to move on from his past. Will they ever confess how much they love each other’s company? What happens when they finally confess? And what happens when the past comes back knocking at your door again?

The title itself has always stayed with me. The One You Cannot Have is not just about one relationship; it is about that one person almost everyone has in life – the one who changes you, shapes you, but was never truly meant to stay. Beyond the romance, the novel beautifully explores acceptance, healing, and moving on. It reminds us that healing isn’t about forgetting someone; it is about accepting that life can still move forward even when a part of your heart continues to belong to someone you cannot have.

The plot of the story is engaging, with well-timed twists and emotionally resonant moments that keep you invested throughout. Preeti weaves the story with themes of love, hope, friendship, heartbreak, family, relationships, office life, female friendships, and a beautiful relationship between a mother and son. Preeti Shenoy’s writing style, as always, is simple, captivating, and relatable. What I have always admired about her writing is the way she acknowledges the deepest of emotions with such honesty and ease, making every feeling seem authentic. One of the biggest reasons this story continues to stay with me is how real it feels. The relationships never become dramatic just for the sake of creating twists. They resemble people we meet in everyday life, making every emotion feel honest and deeply relatable. 

As we step into the world of Aman and Anjali, we see how they are completely different personalities, yet complement each other in the most beautiful ways. We see how Anjali tries keeping her mind off Aman, while Aman slowly begins making Anjali one of his priorities. In all that, we also witness Shruti’s journey – how she was separated from Aman, how she started her life with Rishabh, how her life changed, and how she finally acknowledged what Aman truly meant to her, even after all those years and even after being married.

This is not a love triangle. This is much deeper than that. It is a story about timing, choices, and the people we never truly stop loving. 

As we step into the world of these characters, we realize how casually we sometimes take someone’s presence for granted and only understand their importance once they are no longer a part of our lives. Here too, the story beautifully captures the complexities of human emotions. And another thing that I really liked is how the parents supported their children in unconditional ways, be it Aman’s mother or Anjali’s parents. The story keeps moving beautifully. We see how friendship becomes an anchor for Aman, Anjali, and even Shruti in different ways. We see how Vikram’s mentorship changes Aman, how Anjali genuinely enjoys her work and grows professionally, and how Shruti finds the courage to return home when her life falls apart.

I also loved how naturally Bangalore becomes a part of the story. From office life and cafés to everyday conversations and friendships, the city never overshadows the plot, yet quietly adds warmth and realism to the characters’ lives. Similarly, Anjali’s professional journey isn’t merely a backdrop to the romance. Watching her balance work, friendships, and personal emotions makes her character feel even more relatable and independent.

The characters are brilliantly woven. I, of course, loved Aman and Anjali. Shruti too, I genuinely felt for her, even when I didn’t always agree with her choices. Apart from them, the supporting characters like Anjali’s best friend, Shruti meeting Mr. Sanjeev Adani, Vikram, and Aman’s mother all leave a lasting impression. There are small moments throughout the story that quietly become unforgettable.

This book is more about the moments that eventually become turning points. Some create emotional twists, while others bring humour, like Aman’s friend visiting India and all the fun, teasing, and little plans that follow. These lighter moments beautifully balance the emotional weight of the story. The book is filled with drama, emotions, entertainment, memorable dialogues, and a smooth pace with shifting perspectives from Aman, Anjali, and Shruti. The alternating perspectives are one of the novel’s biggest strengths because they allow us to understand every character without judging them too quickly. We experience Aman’s pain, Anjali’s hope, and Shruti’s regrets equally, making every decision feel honest and emotionally believable.

Rereading this book after ten years reminded me why it has remained one of my favourites. Back then, I rooted for the romance. Today, I found myself appreciating the healing, the emotional maturity, the missed chances, and the quiet acceptance hidden between the pages. It made me realise that books don’t change, we do. There is a reason this book has stayed with me for a decade. It isn’t because of extraordinary twists or grand romance. Instead, it quietly reminds us that love often enters our lives when we least expect it. It is about learning to cherish what was, accepting what cannot be, and finding the courage to begin again. And perhaps that’s why this story continues to hold such a special place in my heart.

In all, The One You Cannot Have is much more than a contemporary romance. It is an emotional journey about love, friendship, timing, healing, and the people who quietly shape our lives forever. If you enjoy emotionally rich love stories with relatable characters, heartfelt friendships, workplace life, family bonds, and relationships that stay with you long after the last page, this is one book you can definitely count on. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is The One You Cannot Have a romance novel?

Yes, but it is much more than a romance. While love is at its core, the novel also explores healing, friendship, acceptance, timing, family relationships, and the difficult journey of moving on from someone you cannot have.

Is this book suitable for first-time readers of Preeti Shenoy?

Absolutely. Preeti Shenoy’s simple, engaging, and relatable writing style makes this an excellent starting point. The characters, emotions, and everyday situations make it easy to connect with the story.

Do I need to read People We Love before reading this book?

No. The One You Cannot Have can be enjoyed as a standalone novel. However, reading People We Love offers a deeper understanding of the characters’ backstories and makes revisiting this novel an even more rewarding experience.

Is this a love triangle?

Not in the conventional sense. The story goes far beyond a typical love triangle. It explores timing, emotional choices, healing, and the lasting impact certain people leave on our lives.

What makes The One You Cannot Have different from other contemporary romances?

Its emotional honesty. Instead of relying on dramatic twists alone, the novel focuses on authentic relationships, personal growth, family bonds, workplace life, and the bittersweet reality that not every love story is meant to have a perfect ending.

Is The One You Cannot Have worth reading?

Definitely. If you enjoy emotionally layered stories with relatable characters, meaningful friendships, and realistic relationships, this novel offers a heartfelt reading experience that stays with you long after the final page.

Reader_viddh’s Take

If you enjoy books where love arrives unexpectedly, friendships become a source of strength, timing changes everything, and healing quietly teaches you to begin again, The One You Cannot Have is a beautiful book to experience.

Also Read:

Book Review of When Love Came Calling by Preeti Shenoy
Book Review: No More Secrets by Lucy Score 
Book Review: Catch Her If You Can by Tessa Bailey