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The Heaven #2
The Space in Between
Iram Haider, the young Kashmiri writer, is back in Srinagar. But with her fractured body and messed up mind, she struggles to reclaim her old life. As her book launch approaches and the love of her life drifts away, she grapples with the pieces that remain.
But only if the demons of Kashmir politics left her alone. As predators loom large, Iram finds shelter in the most unwanted of places — Atharva Singh Kaul. The man she has been fighting, whose passion has begin to burn as hot as his rage. But even as he crusades to hunt for his missing friend, bring her father’s treason to light, and run his final rallies, Iram cannot hate him.
As Jammu & Kashmir’s election season comes to its finale, the results become the least of their concerns. Iram rises to her full potential, Atharva takes the most difficult decisions, and just like that, they are poised at the beginning of something big, something new. The question is, will they take the leap?
A CONSPIRACY.
A CONTROVERSY.
AN OATH.
WILL THEY SOLIDIFY THIS NEW FATE OF KASHMIR?
But only if the demons of Kashmir politics left her alone. As predators loom large, Iram finds shelter in the most unwanted of places — Atharva Singh Kaul. The man she has been fighting, whose passion has begin to burn as hot as his rage. But even as he crusades to hunt for his missing friend, bring her father’s treason to light, and run his final rallies, Iram cannot hate him.
As Jammu & Kashmir’s election season comes to its finale, the results become the least of their concerns. Iram rises to her full potential, Atharva takes the most difficult decisions, and just like that, they are poised at the beginning of something big, something new. The question is, will they take the leap?
A CONSPIRACY.
A CONTROVERSY.
AN OATH.
WILL THEY SOLIDIFY THIS NEW FATE OF KASHMIR?
- GenresRomance
773 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 20, 2024
35 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
About the author
Bhavini K. Desai
10 books141 followersBhavini K. Desai is a literary fiction author whose debut novel ‘The City of Pillars’ ranked in the top 10 on Amazon. She has worked as a copywriter, a content editor, and more recently, as a creative strategist. But she found her true calling in stitching words together and telling epic stories.
Her passion for contemporary issues and a teenage obsession with romance novels translated into her first novel, a love story set in the enchanting backdrop of Kashmir. And unlike your regular genres, she broke the rules by weaving a tale of romance, drama, adventure, and politics.
Bhavini is currently working as a creative strategist for an American skincare brand, while expanding on the Kashmir universe in The Heaven Series. She is also crafting a spinoff from The Queen’s Eyes while writing a swoony rom-com set in the dreamy city of Mumbai. You can find her daily writing and music updates on her Instagram.
Her passion for contemporary issues and a teenage obsession with romance novels translated into her first novel, a love story set in the enchanting backdrop of Kashmir. And unlike your regular genres, she broke the rules by weaving a tale of romance, drama, adventure, and politics.
Bhavini is currently working as a creative strategist for an American skincare brand, while expanding on the Kashmir universe in The Heaven Series. She is also crafting a spinoff from The Queen’s Eyes while writing a swoony rom-com set in the dreamy city of Mumbai. You can find her daily writing and music updates on her Instagram.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 27, 2025
awestruck and in complete shambles rn. 5/5 asf, cannot wait for book #3, i have no further words, need 12 business days to process all this.
just want to leave my favorite moments here:
He stopped laughing, his face still buried in her skin, his relief draining into her. He realised then that if someday somebody would look for his deepest emotions, they would have to come searching for them in her skin. He was planting them all here. Without showing to the world his eyes, his face, or his hardened heart, he was leaving them in trails in this crook of her neck. Always had. Atharva inhaled. To his disappointment, it didn’t smell like his attar anymore. But it still felt like home.
♡
This life, these moments, they were making her believe in a heaven again. Even if worlds were destroyed, even if cities crumbled, this space, this tiny little space between them would be her heaven. As long as they each became pillars and stood strong, this land between them would remain safe.
just want to leave my favorite moments here:
He stopped laughing, his face still buried in her skin, his relief draining into her. He realised then that if someday somebody would look for his deepest emotions, they would have to come searching for them in her skin. He was planting them all here. Without showing to the world his eyes, his face, or his hardened heart, he was leaving them in trails in this crook of her neck. Always had. Atharva inhaled. To his disappointment, it didn’t smell like his attar anymore. But it still felt like home.
♡
This life, these moments, they were making her believe in a heaven again. Even if worlds were destroyed, even if cities crumbled, this space, this tiny little space between them would be her heaven. As long as they each became pillars and stood strong, this land between them would remain safe.
November 28, 2024
Here's the review -- this book ends with a Happy For Now :D
January 29, 2025
Best book 📖. Love the story
February 6, 2025
Great experience
May 5, 2025
Loved it
April 14, 2025
Beautiful portrait of Patience, Strength, Understanding and of course Kashmir.. it's difficult to balance things in life when you are needed everywhere, but watching Atharva do that for his Iram, his Myani Zuv was incredible, with every page i read, i fell for Atharva and little more and respected Iram even more, her confidence, her strength is something every women needs to in-built in her to conquer the world.. a must read if you are here to experience the depth of loving someone and having it, to experience the politics along with steamy romance...🤍🤍
March 16, 2025
" It is only winners who always win, child, not heroes."
This book picks up from where the 1st book left off. We are back in Srinagar at the helm of the 2014 State elections.
Atharva is battling it out for the position of chief minister while fighting his non-subdueing feelings for Iram.
Iram is dealing with all that she has endured in the past 3 months, and she does that beautifully.
The 2nd book in the Heaven Series - Now that the world is set, we take a deeper dive into romance, treachery, betrayal, and secrets.
The writing flows just as it did in the 1st book. This book is by no means short - it is 700 odd pages - and despite that, there is not a dull moment.
As much as I would love to read more books with Atharva and Iram, for the sake of their sanity and mine, I wish the book would have ended before we hit chapter 45. How many times can an individual break before they never mend? How many times can one fall before they forget how to pick themselves up? Iram and Atharva have collectively been through so much pain. How much more do they need to endure?
Iram is such a strong woman. The way that she does not allow herself to drown in self-pity and the way that she stands up for herself is commendable.
Atharva- Just like Iram, I find myself falling for this man, more so with every additional page I read.
I missed a lot of the KDP party members banter in this book. But we get some heartwarming scenes like the wedding Tikka scene, Dani and Mahi scene at the airport, and Khatrij having fun, amongst others.
I am very curious about Samar and hope we will be getting more of him and his version of events in the upcoming book.
The epilogue was so well written. It was almost like reading a screenplay. I could see the scenes playing out with the speech playing in the background. So good.
PS: I found a few errors in the Kindle edition of the book. But it is not too many, and the plot is good, so we overlook that.
I have covered up the spoiler below, but if you are reading on the Kindle app, it will still show, so if you want no spoilers, stop.
This book picks up from where the 1st book left off. We are back in Srinagar at the helm of the 2014 State elections.
Atharva is battling it out for the position of chief minister while fighting his non-subdueing feelings for Iram.
Iram is dealing with all that she has endured in the past 3 months, and she does that beautifully.
The 2nd book in the Heaven Series - Now that the world is set, we take a deeper dive into romance, treachery, betrayal, and secrets.
The writing flows just as it did in the 1st book. This book is by no means short - it is 700 odd pages - and despite that, there is not a dull moment.
As much as I would love to read more books with Atharva and Iram, for the sake of their sanity and mine, I wish the book would have ended before we hit chapter 45. How many times can an individual break before they never mend? How many times can one fall before they forget how to pick themselves up? Iram and Atharva have collectively been through so much pain. How much more do they need to endure?
Iram is such a strong woman. The way that she does not allow herself to drown in self-pity and the way that she stands up for herself is commendable.
Atharva- Just like Iram, I find myself falling for this man, more so with every additional page I read.
I missed a lot of the KDP party members banter in this book. But we get some heartwarming scenes like the wedding Tikka scene, Dani and Mahi scene at the airport, and Khatrij having fun, amongst others.
I am very curious about Samar and hope we will be getting more of him and his version of events in the upcoming book.
The epilogue was so well written. It was almost like reading a screenplay. I could see the scenes playing out with the speech playing in the background. So good.
PS: I found a few errors in the Kindle edition of the book. But it is not too many, and the plot is good, so we overlook that.
I have covered up the spoiler below, but if you are reading on the Kindle app, it will still show, so if you want no spoilers, stop.
October 15, 2024
Trope : Contemporary Romance, Star - Crossed Lovers and Power Struggle.
In the captivating sequel to the Heaven series, The Space in Between, the story beautifully delves into the tumultuous relationship between Atharva and Iram as they grapple with personal struggles and the complexities of their bond. Though they may have broken up, they still find solace in each other's arms, proving that love can endure even the toughest trials.
You can't beat the combo of Kashmir's stunning scenery and the buzz of elections—it’s the ultimate backdrop for this book! It’s like the author knew we’d be hooked from the start!
Iram's moments of vulnerability juxtaposed with her quiet strength immerse the reader in her journey. Let’s be honest: Atharva steals the show in book one with his blend of action and sweet, grumpy romance. Yet, Iram truly shines in this installment as she confronts her fears, emerging as the star of book two.
While this volume leans more into political romance, I did miss the intimate connection Atharva and Iram shared in the first book—though that absence only adds to the story's depth.
Iram's struggle between being a loyal daughter and a loving wife is brilliantly portrayed and serves as a pivotal breakthrough in the narrative that left me feeling elated.
Throughout the story, I found myself captivated by Iram's evolving identity. The recent revelations only heighten my anticipation for book three! With a delightful mix of suspense, humor, drama, Tragedy, love, betrayal, and romance, The Space in Between is a blockbuster of a read that will leave you yearning for more.
In the captivating sequel to the Heaven series, The Space in Between, the story beautifully delves into the tumultuous relationship between Atharva and Iram as they grapple with personal struggles and the complexities of their bond. Though they may have broken up, they still find solace in each other's arms, proving that love can endure even the toughest trials.
You can't beat the combo of Kashmir's stunning scenery and the buzz of elections—it’s the ultimate backdrop for this book! It’s like the author knew we’d be hooked from the start!
Iram's moments of vulnerability juxtaposed with her quiet strength immerse the reader in her journey. Let’s be honest: Atharva steals the show in book one with his blend of action and sweet, grumpy romance. Yet, Iram truly shines in this installment as she confronts her fears, emerging as the star of book two.
While this volume leans more into political romance, I did miss the intimate connection Atharva and Iram shared in the first book—though that absence only adds to the story's depth.
Iram's struggle between being a loyal daughter and a loving wife is brilliantly portrayed and serves as a pivotal breakthrough in the narrative that left me feeling elated.
Throughout the story, I found myself captivated by Iram's evolving identity. The recent revelations only heighten my anticipation for book three! With a delightful mix of suspense, humor, drama, Tragedy, love, betrayal, and romance, The Space in Between is a blockbuster of a read that will leave you yearning for more.
May 17, 2024
A love story so gripping, keeps you on edge and makes you fall in love with Atharva and Iram all over again ❤️✨💫
January 2, 2025
Why do I feel Iram is the child who came from pakistan😭😭
September 18, 2025
If The City of Pillars was breathtaking, The Space in Between took my heart, crushed it, healed it, and made me fall in love with Atharva and Iram all over again.
This book is a beautiful portrait of patience, strength, sacrifice, and, above all, love set against the haunting yet mesmerizing backdrop of Kashmir. With every page I read, I fell deeper for Atharva—her Myani Zuv—who manages to balance duty, love, and responsibility in ways that feel almost impossible yet so real. And Iram—her courage, her resilience, her ability to grow through every challenge—is everything a woman aspires to be.
The supporting characters shine just as brightly. From Samar’s raw complexity to Noora’s wit, every person leaves an impression. Some parts even reminded me of epic mythological parallels—like Samar’s actions echoing Karna from the Mahabharata. And the poem about the soldier’s wife? Absolutely unforgettable.
What I especially loved was how even the tiniest gestures carried so much weight—Atharva’s laptop password being “Jannat,” or Iram holding on to his black tee. These little details make their bond sacred and unbreakable despite all odds.
This book is gripping, emotional, and so thoroughly researched. It keeps you on edge while letting you live through the beauty, politics, and culture of Kashmir. I honestly didn’t even feel the need to peek at the epilogue after Chapter 1—because the story had me hooked completely.
The cliffhanger at the end (via the Book 3 excerpt) has left me restless—I can’t wait to see where their journey goes next. For me, this series is more than just books, it’s an experience.
If you’re looking for a story that blends politics, culture, heart-racing drama, and the deepest kind of love—you don’t just read this book, you live it.
This book is a beautiful portrait of patience, strength, sacrifice, and, above all, love set against the haunting yet mesmerizing backdrop of Kashmir. With every page I read, I fell deeper for Atharva—her Myani Zuv—who manages to balance duty, love, and responsibility in ways that feel almost impossible yet so real. And Iram—her courage, her resilience, her ability to grow through every challenge—is everything a woman aspires to be.
The supporting characters shine just as brightly. From Samar’s raw complexity to Noora’s wit, every person leaves an impression. Some parts even reminded me of epic mythological parallels—like Samar’s actions echoing Karna from the Mahabharata. And the poem about the soldier’s wife? Absolutely unforgettable.
What I especially loved was how even the tiniest gestures carried so much weight—Atharva’s laptop password being “Jannat,” or Iram holding on to his black tee. These little details make their bond sacred and unbreakable despite all odds.
This book is gripping, emotional, and so thoroughly researched. It keeps you on edge while letting you live through the beauty, politics, and culture of Kashmir. I honestly didn’t even feel the need to peek at the epilogue after Chapter 1—because the story had me hooked completely.
The cliffhanger at the end (via the Book 3 excerpt) has left me restless—I can’t wait to see where their journey goes next. For me, this series is more than just books, it’s an experience.
If you’re looking for a story that blends politics, culture, heart-racing drama, and the deepest kind of love—you don’t just read this book, you live it.
April 15, 2025
Atharva and Iram are the kind of characters you fervently wish, pray, and hope find their happily ever after and yet, you also yearn for them to remain ensnared in the web of longing and passion, caught in a never-ending story. It is within their ache and angst that the narrative truly takes flight, leaping across emotions and depths only Bhavini can weave.
Even in the smallest of gestures - Atharva setting his laptop password as Jannat, or Iram holding onto and wearing his black tee, their souls remain tethered by an unspoken, sacred thread. No matter the circumstances the world throws at them, no matter the detest wrapped in their own words, their connection endures.
Samar, in the aftermath of Iram’s abduction, echoes the weight of Karna in the Mahabharata after Draupadi’s chirharan. No matter the nobility they might claim in their motives, no matter what ideals they believe they uphold, history will forever remember them as those who stood complicit in the abuse of a woman.
Atharva’s journey, from striving to make Kashmir a safe haven for the girl beneath the handcart to the willingness of forgoing the ambition of CM in lieu of a lifetime with her, mirrors a promise made by another unforgettable character from the writer’s shelf - "tab tumhaare liye duniya jeetna chahta tha, aaj tumhaare liye, duniya haar sakta hun".
Even in the smallest of gestures - Atharva setting his laptop password as Jannat, or Iram holding onto and wearing his black tee, their souls remain tethered by an unspoken, sacred thread. No matter the circumstances the world throws at them, no matter the detest wrapped in their own words, their connection endures.
Samar, in the aftermath of Iram’s abduction, echoes the weight of Karna in the Mahabharata after Draupadi’s chirharan. No matter the nobility they might claim in their motives, no matter what ideals they believe they uphold, history will forever remember them as those who stood complicit in the abuse of a woman.
Atharva’s journey, from striving to make Kashmir a safe haven for the girl beneath the handcart to the willingness of forgoing the ambition of CM in lieu of a lifetime with her, mirrors a promise made by another unforgettable character from the writer’s shelf - "tab tumhaare liye duniya jeetna chahta tha, aaj tumhaare liye, duniya haar sakta hun".
August 1, 2025
⭐ ⭐⭐⭐
4/5 Stars
🎀🎀🎀🎀🎀
I liked this more than the first one, especially since the first book felt a bit fast-paced with too many things happening all at once. I'm always awestruck by fictional writers who do deep research for their stories—and Bhavini K. Desai doesn’t just research and apply it; she weaves it beautifully into her stories, whether it’s culture or politics.
✨✨✨✨✨
Things I loved:
- The conversation between I & A through music—mostly because I do it too (but nobody understands).
- As I mentioned earlier, the writing here is much better than in the first book. I could feel everything with the characters, especially Atharva’s exhaustion.
- I absolutely love Iram’s new personality. Chef’s kiss.
- "Fuck, you own me." — Janab Atharva Singh Kaul to his wife. This man has officially been added to my list of book boyfriends.
🐣🐣🐣🐣🐣
Things I didn’t like:
- Personally, I feel like Iram’s character didn’t get to properly process everything. To be clear— she seemed to move on from her “trauma” very quickly, and
- I missed the side characters, they had small roles in the story.
🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂
End Note:
I absolutely devoured the book, and I’m starting the next one right now so I can finish it ASAP... and then torture myself while waiting for the fourth one.
4/5 Stars
🎀🎀🎀🎀🎀
I liked this more than the first one, especially since the first book felt a bit fast-paced with too many things happening all at once. I'm always awestruck by fictional writers who do deep research for their stories—and Bhavini K. Desai doesn’t just research and apply it; she weaves it beautifully into her stories, whether it’s culture or politics.
✨✨✨✨✨
Things I loved:
- The conversation between I & A through music—mostly because I do it too (but nobody understands).
- As I mentioned earlier, the writing here is much better than in the first book. I could feel everything with the characters, especially Atharva’s exhaustion.
- I absolutely love Iram’s new personality. Chef’s kiss.
- "Fuck, you own me." — Janab Atharva Singh Kaul to his wife. This man has officially been added to my list of book boyfriends.
🐣🐣🐣🐣🐣
Things I didn’t like:
- Personally, I feel like Iram’s character didn’t get to properly process everything. To be clear— she seemed to move on from her “trauma” very quickly, and
- I missed the side characters, they had small roles in the story.
🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂
End Note:
I absolutely devoured the book, and I’m starting the next one right now so I can finish it ASAP... and then torture myself while waiting for the fourth one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2025
*Love is in the air*
Devoured this book over the weekend, sacrificed some sleep, but who cares when the chemistry of our MCs were giving me enough energy, hotttttt.
Glad that we took our time, showed why they are together and why they deserve to be so.
I think this is the first time a three part book has not disappointed me, rather I'm excited to get into the third one, *fingers crossed*
Repeating what I said for the previous book, our author here deserves much more recognition for her books, specially the details, like actual facts and details, can't imagine the time and effort spent on them.
Already anticipating that this series is going to be an all 5 star!
Can't wait to begin the third one......
Devoured this book over the weekend, sacrificed some sleep, but who cares when the chemistry of our MCs were giving me enough energy, hotttttt.
Glad that we took our time, showed why they are together and why they deserve to be so.
I think this is the first time a three part book has not disappointed me, rather I'm excited to get into the third one, *fingers crossed*
Repeating what I said for the previous book, our author here deserves much more recognition for her books, specially the details, like actual facts and details, can't imagine the time and effort spent on them.
Already anticipating that this series is going to be an all 5 star!
Can't wait to begin the third one......
July 28, 2025
The Space In Between takes the story deeper—election season is ending, her book is about to release, and emotions run high. There’s angst, truce, love, marriage, and heartbreak. And that mind-boggling revelation at the end? Still not over it. Can’t wait to read the next book!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews