What do you think?
Rate this book
This Wild Catastrophe
SI never meant to lie, but when my college bully sneers at my epic fail love life, I do my best to stand up to her. I grab the stranger next to me at the party, call him my date, and kiss him.
One horrifying video of the hot cricketer and me losing our clothes later - filmed by the same bully - and my life is about to blow up.
To my surprise, the rule-following golden boy of cricket saves me from social destruction. So, I move into his mansion and lie about being head over heels for him. Just for the summer.
What does he get out of it? Getting on his coach’s good side. A coach who just happens to be my godfather.
I don’t know if fake dating is the solution to our problems or this wild catastrophe I can’t escape…especially when I start falling for him for real.
This Wild Catastrophe is a softly-paced, 120K words, dual POV, adorably cute, feel-good, coming of age, hurt/comfort, standalone, cricket romance between a curvy and defensive FMC, an ambitious MMC with broken edges, Bollywood nostalgia, and a friendship group that’s obsessed with pie.
One horrifying video of the hot cricketer and me losing our clothes later - filmed by the same bully - and my life is about to blow up.
To my surprise, the rule-following golden boy of cricket saves me from social destruction. So, I move into his mansion and lie about being head over heels for him. Just for the summer.
What does he get out of it? Getting on his coach’s good side. A coach who just happens to be my godfather.
I don’t know if fake dating is the solution to our problems or this wild catastrophe I can’t escape…especially when I start falling for him for real.
This Wild Catastrophe is a softly-paced, 120K words, dual POV, adorably cute, feel-good, coming of age, hurt/comfort, standalone, cricket romance between a curvy and defensive FMC, an ambitious MMC with broken edges, Bollywood nostalgia, and a friendship group that’s obsessed with pie.
465 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 4, 2025
134 people are currently reading
628 people want to read
About the author
Aarti V. Raman
50 books219 followersHi, there I’m USA Today Bestselling Romance Author Aarti V Raman. I write all shades and forms of romance or will in the future because I suffer from writing attention deficit disorder. I must tell all the stories! So, my romances range from romantic comedy, chick lit to romantic suspense and dark romance starring tortured billionaires and suffering military types!
Before I turned to writing and telling these stories full-time, I was a teacher, business journalist and editor for close to fifteen years. So my heroines are career-minded, city-living, strong-willed hot messes who still have their lives together. I believe in writing what I know and I know me best so most of these heroines are Indian (South Asian women of color).
I also believe in writing more of what I want so my heroes are indecently hot, filthy rich, fiendishly smart with secret hearts of gold. Thus, the angst and steam-meter are off the charts when stubborn force meets immovable object on the way to happy ever after. So does the banter and danger, because what’s love without a little bit of jeopardy, am I right?
I’m a TEDx speaker and 24 of my romances have hit the Amazon Bestseller Charts so I can also proudly call myself an Amazon 100 International Bestselling Author. My chick lit dramedy “The Worst Daughter Ever” has been optioned for screen. My bestselling Millionaire Foes series is part of the Writers on the Moon Project, on a time capsule to go to the actual moon. Most notably, I’ve been absolutely privileged to be part of two fantastic for-charity anthologies, Stand for Ukraine and Dissent.
I’m also known as Writer Gal. I live in Mumbai with my large and largely loveable extended family in a version of my three favorite words – Happy Ever After.
Before I turned to writing and telling these stories full-time, I was a teacher, business journalist and editor for close to fifteen years. So my heroines are career-minded, city-living, strong-willed hot messes who still have their lives together. I believe in writing what I know and I know me best so most of these heroines are Indian (South Asian women of color).
I also believe in writing more of what I want so my heroes are indecently hot, filthy rich, fiendishly smart with secret hearts of gold. Thus, the angst and steam-meter are off the charts when stubborn force meets immovable object on the way to happy ever after. So does the banter and danger, because what’s love without a little bit of jeopardy, am I right?
I’m a TEDx speaker and 24 of my romances have hit the Amazon Bestseller Charts so I can also proudly call myself an Amazon 100 International Bestselling Author. My chick lit dramedy “The Worst Daughter Ever” has been optioned for screen. My bestselling Millionaire Foes series is part of the Writers on the Moon Project, on a time capsule to go to the actual moon. Most notably, I’ve been absolutely privileged to be part of two fantastic for-charity anthologies, Stand for Ukraine and Dissent.
I’m also known as Writer Gal. I live in Mumbai with my large and largely loveable extended family in a version of my three favorite words – Happy Ever After.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 187 reviews
May 5, 2025
2.75 stars ᯓ★ˎˊ˗
Going into this book I was so excited but unfortunately it was a let down. I received this as an ARC; all thoughts are my own and are no way influenced by early access to this title. Thank you to Aarti V. Raman for reaching out to me on instagram and letting me be part of the ARC team for this release.
I really didn’t mesh with this story overall. The premise sounds very interesting but I just didn’t connect with the characters and love the way it was written. I found the dialogue to be pretty cheesy and most things felt very forced. It didn’t feel like this story had a proper flow to it.
It was strange to me how in the beginning the mmc does a total 180 personality flip. We got his pov and it just made me confused. I don’t really know how I feel about his character overall. As for our fmc I liked her internal struggle that drove her character but throughout the book she did annoy me at times.
Even though there were things I liked about this book I think that the story overall lacks proper depth (and things that make each character tick). It didn’t feel like the characters were fleshed out enough and the author just wanted to get this book out as soon as possible. It felt as though there was much care put into writing it.
Anyways, to wrap up this book just didn’t quite work for me personally but I didn’t entirely loathe it.
pre-read:
i got the arc; i’m excited to get to this one 😚
Going into this book I was so excited but unfortunately it was a let down. I received this as an ARC; all thoughts are my own and are no way influenced by early access to this title. Thank you to Aarti V. Raman for reaching out to me on instagram and letting me be part of the ARC team for this release.
I really didn’t mesh with this story overall. The premise sounds very interesting but I just didn’t connect with the characters and love the way it was written. I found the dialogue to be pretty cheesy and most things felt very forced. It didn’t feel like this story had a proper flow to it.
It was strange to me how in the beginning the mmc does a total 180 personality flip. We got his pov and it just made me confused. I don’t really know how I feel about his character overall. As for our fmc I liked her internal struggle that drove her character but throughout the book she did annoy me at times.
Even though there were things I liked about this book I think that the story overall lacks proper depth (and things that make each character tick). It didn’t feel like the characters were fleshed out enough and the author just wanted to get this book out as soon as possible. It felt as though there was much care put into writing it.
Anyways, to wrap up this book just didn’t quite work for me personally but I didn’t entirely loathe it.
pre-read:
i got the arc; i’m excited to get to this one 😚
March 3, 2025
"Alexa... when does the Cricket season begin and what sports channels play matches?"
Yes, you too will be asking this following your read of "This Wild Catastrophe"
Apparently, Cricket is the new Hockey for me.
Thank you to the author for a chance to read and review this splendid little sports romance. It's perfect for those that love:
Fake Dating
Angsty Banter
Curvy Bookworm versus Cocky Jock vibes
Queenie, a college drop out and teetering on homelessness, is just looking for some fun one night. She meets Noah Dumaine, a millionaire cricket player and decides to give the cocky, flirty player ONE night.
What she awakens to is, well,... a wild catastrophe and marks the beginning of prickly banter, fake dating scenarios and quite a bit of self reflection from both parties.
This book has a ton of heart, and I fell for it. I would not be surprised to to find myself checking out a few cricket matches to keep the fantasy alive after reading this one.
Set for release TOMORROW March 4th- don't miss out, get yourself a copy.
Yes, you too will be asking this following your read of "This Wild Catastrophe"
Apparently, Cricket is the new Hockey for me.
Thank you to the author for a chance to read and review this splendid little sports romance. It's perfect for those that love:
Fake Dating
Angsty Banter
Curvy Bookworm versus Cocky Jock vibes
Queenie, a college drop out and teetering on homelessness, is just looking for some fun one night. She meets Noah Dumaine, a millionaire cricket player and decides to give the cocky, flirty player ONE night.
What she awakens to is, well,... a wild catastrophe and marks the beginning of prickly banter, fake dating scenarios and quite a bit of self reflection from both parties.
This book has a ton of heart, and I fell for it. I would not be surprised to to find myself checking out a few cricket matches to keep the fantasy alive after reading this one.
Set for release TOMORROW March 4th- don't miss out, get yourself a copy.
dnf
March 12, 2025dnf @ 21% unfortunately, i didn't find myself meshing with queenie and noah's story. i found the dialogue to be a bit cringe/juvenile. also, the MMCs personality had a whole 180 in one chapter and i didn’t like how he acted.
March 12, 2025
Cute cute cute!!! 💗
My first time reading my favourite sports-centric book and it didn't disappoint. Thanks, Aarti for writing about cricket romance. It was the need of the hour.
Really loved Queenie, what a witty queen! And her vibes were really amazing. She loved cricket as much as me so she's now one of my fav FMCs ❤️
Noah was amazing, kind, supportive and really liked his vulnerable side.
Their chemical was off the charts and I loved their banters so much. This book is full of cute, heartwarming, funny cliches and I loved it for that. And it's fake dating, so another reason for me to love it ❤️
Thank you so much @Aarti for the ARC! 💗
My first time reading my favourite sports-centric book and it didn't disappoint. Thanks, Aarti for writing about cricket romance. It was the need of the hour.
Really loved Queenie, what a witty queen! And her vibes were really amazing. She loved cricket as much as me so she's now one of my fav FMCs ❤️
Noah was amazing, kind, supportive and really liked his vulnerable side.
Their chemical was off the charts and I loved their banters so much. This book is full of cute, heartwarming, funny cliches and I loved it for that. And it's fake dating, so another reason for me to love it ❤️
Thank you so much @Aarti for the ARC! 💗
April 5, 2025
2.5 ⭐️ 2 🌶️
Thank you to the author for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.
This book had potential, but the pacing and writing fell flat for me. The story lacked depth, and while there was plenty of sports action—great for cricket fans—it might be boring for those less interested in the game.
The romance was just okay, nothing particularly memorable.
That said, I did like the main female character, which was a highlight! And there were some funny cute moments with all the characters.
Overall, it needs more work to fully engage the reader.
Thank you to the author for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.
This book had potential, but the pacing and writing fell flat for me. The story lacked depth, and while there was plenty of sports action—great for cricket fans—it might be boring for those less interested in the game.
The romance was just okay, nothing particularly memorable.
That said, I did like the main female character, which was a highlight! And there were some funny cute moments with all the characters.
Overall, it needs more work to fully engage the reader.
March 31, 2025
Loved it
So, I know a little about cricket—I’m a huge baseball fan, and a lot of my coworkers from India love it. A few years ago, I even spent two weeks in India for work and got to watch some matches at a bar with them. It’s such a fun sport! But the way Aarti writes, you don’t need to know much about cricket to enjoy the book. She explains things in a way that’s easy to understand, and there’s even a super helpful glossary at the beginning.
At first, I felt for Queenie, but I didn’t completely connect with her—she came across as a little overdramatic to me. But as the story unfolded and I learned more about what set her on this path, she grew on me. She’s dealing with so much—family pressure, societal expectations, bullying, trying to do the right/moral thing—and by the end, I really related to her and was so happy to see her get her HEA.
Noah—what a sweet, sweet man. I was just as confused as Queenie by his hot-and-cold moments, but even when he was distant, he was still so likable. And just like with Queenie, the more I learned about his past, the more I felt for him. Their back-and-forth banter was absolutely adorable. He had his own family struggles, too, which made his character even more compelling.
Aarti did such a wonderful job depicting their family challenges with nuance and sensitivity. It was a great reminder that things aren’t always as they seem—everyone is fighting their own battles, no matter their background.
This book had way more depth than I expected! While it wasn’t exactly an "enemies-to-lovers" story, it definitely had a “like to dislike to lovers” arc. It tackled some solid themes while still delivering plenty of fun, romance, and, yes, very nice spice.
Thank you, Aarti, for this ARC! I can’t wait to see where this universe goes next. Who knew cricket romance could be so hot?
So, I know a little about cricket—I’m a huge baseball fan, and a lot of my coworkers from India love it. A few years ago, I even spent two weeks in India for work and got to watch some matches at a bar with them. It’s such a fun sport! But the way Aarti writes, you don’t need to know much about cricket to enjoy the book. She explains things in a way that’s easy to understand, and there’s even a super helpful glossary at the beginning.
At first, I felt for Queenie, but I didn’t completely connect with her—she came across as a little overdramatic to me. But as the story unfolded and I learned more about what set her on this path, she grew on me. She’s dealing with so much—family pressure, societal expectations, bullying, trying to do the right/moral thing—and by the end, I really related to her and was so happy to see her get her HEA.
Noah—what a sweet, sweet man. I was just as confused as Queenie by his hot-and-cold moments, but even when he was distant, he was still so likable. And just like with Queenie, the more I learned about his past, the more I felt for him. Their back-and-forth banter was absolutely adorable. He had his own family struggles, too, which made his character even more compelling.
Aarti did such a wonderful job depicting their family challenges with nuance and sensitivity. It was a great reminder that things aren’t always as they seem—everyone is fighting their own battles, no matter their background.
This book had way more depth than I expected! While it wasn’t exactly an "enemies-to-lovers" story, it definitely had a “like to dislike to lovers” arc. It tackled some solid themes while still delivering plenty of fun, romance, and, yes, very nice spice.
Thank you, Aarti, for this ARC! I can’t wait to see where this universe goes next. Who knew cricket romance could be so hot?
March 16, 2025
3.75/5
I’ve always been a fan of sports romance and have read my fair share of them, but never one about cricket. The Wild Catastrophe is my first cricket romance, and the experience has been okay.
Queenie Madhavan, a promising student, is forced to take a break from her studies due to something that happened (not spoiling it for you!). At a party, in a moment of desperation to save face, she ends up kissing Noah Dumaine, a talented cricketer with his own set of struggles, now at a camp trying to reclaim his dream of playing for the Australian national team. Their first encounter was quite the moment. It starts off wholesome, but then things take a turn, and suddenly, they’re stuck pretending to be a couple, sharing a space neither of them planned for.
This book is quite long, with moderate pacing, and it tackles some heavy themes—body image, addiction, parental death and more. Some parts resonated deeply, while others felt a bit repetitive, but overall, it worked. The romance was definitely a highlight. I loved watching Queenie and Noah truly get to know each other, push each other toward growth, and just be there in a way that mattered. Noah is the dream—flawed, yes, but constantly trying. Queenie, on the other hand, tested my patience at times, but her character development was worth the journey. Seeing her finally stand up for herself was amazing.
All in all, a solid romance.
I’ve always been a fan of sports romance and have read my fair share of them, but never one about cricket. The Wild Catastrophe is my first cricket romance, and the experience has been okay.
Queenie Madhavan, a promising student, is forced to take a break from her studies due to something that happened (not spoiling it for you!). At a party, in a moment of desperation to save face, she ends up kissing Noah Dumaine, a talented cricketer with his own set of struggles, now at a camp trying to reclaim his dream of playing for the Australian national team. Their first encounter was quite the moment. It starts off wholesome, but then things take a turn, and suddenly, they’re stuck pretending to be a couple, sharing a space neither of them planned for.
This book is quite long, with moderate pacing, and it tackles some heavy themes—body image, addiction, parental death and more. Some parts resonated deeply, while others felt a bit repetitive, but overall, it worked. The romance was definitely a highlight. I loved watching Queenie and Noah truly get to know each other, push each other toward growth, and just be there in a way that mattered. Noah is the dream—flawed, yes, but constantly trying. Queenie, on the other hand, tested my patience at times, but her character development was worth the journey. Seeing her finally stand up for herself was amazing.
All in all, a solid romance.
May 24, 2025
2,5 ⭐️
This Wild Catastrophe is a cute, easy romance that reads quickly and offers a light escape. The fake dating trope between Queenie and Noah has its charming moments, and their chemistry works well enough to carry the story along.
However, the dialogue often felt basic, and the overall plot didn’t bring anything particularly new to the table. While the book tries to explore deeper themes, it stays mostly surface-level. It’s also heavily centered around cricket, which might be a plus for fans of the sport—but if you’re not into it, those sections can feel slow or uninteresting.
In short: a sweet romance with some enjoyable moments, but lacking the spark or originality to make it stand out. A decent pick for a quick, light read—especially if you like sports romances.
This Wild Catastrophe is a cute, easy romance that reads quickly and offers a light escape. The fake dating trope between Queenie and Noah has its charming moments, and their chemistry works well enough to carry the story along.
However, the dialogue often felt basic, and the overall plot didn’t bring anything particularly new to the table. While the book tries to explore deeper themes, it stays mostly surface-level. It’s also heavily centered around cricket, which might be a plus for fans of the sport—but if you’re not into it, those sections can feel slow or uninteresting.
In short: a sweet romance with some enjoyable moments, but lacking the spark or originality to make it stand out. A decent pick for a quick, light read—especially if you like sports romances.
March 1, 2025
Thanks for the ARC copy, it was my first arc received
I just finished the novel and i LOVED it. The character development,their confidence build up..the evolution as a couple, the sizzling chemistry btw them. The banter and teasing uff🤌🏻. It was PERFECT. This cricket romance which was badly needed for every girl who is a fan and loves the game. And the easter eggs were spot on too🫠.
Thank you soo much for writing it for all the cricket girlies around the world.
The way Noah and Queenie start from less then perfect notes but turn into a goddamn melody is perfect. Noah is emotionally open and doesn’t shy away from them was truly touching. Queenie being the perfect first born daughter carrying the expectations of her parents and evolving from her past trauma was touching. One of the best depicted things was Queenie getting bullied like the way the people judged her and she was shunned out.
I lived for those domestic scenes of them with fox and ares.
Also Queenie is a girls girl she still didn’t wish for Australia’s win😂
I just finished the novel and i LOVED it. The character development,their confidence build up..the evolution as a couple, the sizzling chemistry btw them. The banter and teasing uff🤌🏻. It was PERFECT. This cricket romance which was badly needed for every girl who is a fan and loves the game. And the easter eggs were spot on too🫠.
Thank you soo much for writing it for all the cricket girlies around the world.
The way Noah and Queenie start from less then perfect notes but turn into a goddamn melody is perfect. Noah is emotionally open and doesn’t shy away from them was truly touching. Queenie being the perfect first born daughter carrying the expectations of her parents and evolving from her past trauma was touching. One of the best depicted things was Queenie getting bullied like the way the people judged her and she was shunned out.
I lived for those domestic scenes of them with fox and ares.
Also Queenie is a girls girl she still didn’t wish for Australia’s win😂
April 5, 2025
DNF @ 29%.💔 I know nothing about cricket in real life and it hindered me in being able to get into this book. I was so lost.. I am sorry this didn't work out. Thank you to the author for the opportunity.
Received an ARC from the author in return for a review.
All opinions are my own.
Received an ARC from the author in return for a review.
All opinions are my own.
March 11, 2025
Queenie Madhavan, a college dropout and waitress, is just trying to avoid homelessness when a wild night with cricketer Noah Dumaine turns into a complete disaster. After a scandalous video of them goes public, Noah forces Queenie to pretend to be his girlfriend in exchange for free rent. Now stuck living with her most hated rival's teammate at an elite cricket camp, Noah’s determined to impress the critics and secure a spot on the Australian men's team. His plan? Fake a relationship, silence the gossip, and survive the summer without killing each other.🙂↔️ Sounds simple, right? But nothing in Queenie's life ever goes according to plan, especially not when she's forced into such a bizarre arrangement with Noah.😭🤦🏻♀️
Queenie was such an amazing character-her witty comebacks and love for cricket made her feel so refreshing and real. Her goth chick vibe added a unique touch to her personality that I absolutely loved. It was also so sweet to watch her slowly start wearing more colorful clothes after meeting Noah, a clear sign that she was genuinely happy and feeling more in her element. It was such a wholesome transformation that reflected the positive impact Noah had on her life.💗
I also really loved the dynamic between the boys and how they quickly accepted Queenie as one of their own.🥹 It was heartwarming and felt like they truly cared for her, adding such a special layer to the story. Noah’s protective nature towards Queenie was absolutely swoon-worthy. 🤭🤭🤌He’s sweet, attentive, and everything you could hope for in a love interest. I found myself falling for him, no doubt. 🤭But his hot-and-cold behavior definitely threw me off at times. 😭
I also loved how Queenie made such an impact on Noah’s life. He really changed for the better, and you could see how she brought out a side of him that was more open, caring, and thoughtful. It was beautiful to watch him grow and evolve through their relationship.💗
The writing was good, though at times, it did feel a little flat. But overall, the story was fantastic. 💗The best part was seeing Queenie and Noah’s relationship evolve from being complete strangers to something real and beautiful. The emotional rollercoaster they went on was full of ups and downs, but despite a few bumps, the journey was totally worth it.💌 Their relationship was definitely the heart of the book, and the way it bloomed was honestly the most satisfying part.🙂↔️
Queenie was such an amazing character-her witty comebacks and love for cricket made her feel so refreshing and real. Her goth chick vibe added a unique touch to her personality that I absolutely loved. It was also so sweet to watch her slowly start wearing more colorful clothes after meeting Noah, a clear sign that she was genuinely happy and feeling more in her element. It was such a wholesome transformation that reflected the positive impact Noah had on her life.💗
I also really loved the dynamic between the boys and how they quickly accepted Queenie as one of their own.🥹 It was heartwarming and felt like they truly cared for her, adding such a special layer to the story. Noah’s protective nature towards Queenie was absolutely swoon-worthy. 🤭🤭🤌He’s sweet, attentive, and everything you could hope for in a love interest. I found myself falling for him, no doubt. 🤭But his hot-and-cold behavior definitely threw me off at times. 😭
I also loved how Queenie made such an impact on Noah’s life. He really changed for the better, and you could see how she brought out a side of him that was more open, caring, and thoughtful. It was beautiful to watch him grow and evolve through their relationship.💗
The writing was good, though at times, it did feel a little flat. But overall, the story was fantastic. 💗The best part was seeing Queenie and Noah’s relationship evolve from being complete strangers to something real and beautiful. The emotional rollercoaster they went on was full of ups and downs, but despite a few bumps, the journey was totally worth it.💌 Their relationship was definitely the heart of the book, and the way it bloomed was honestly the most satisfying part.🙂↔️
April 20, 2025
Thank you so much Author Aarti V Raman, for the amazing opportunity by offering me a ARC of your new upcoming Sports Romance Novel🩷🏏🖤💋✨
“This Wild Catastrophe”
The First Installment In The-
“Playing For Keeps Book Series”
4.8⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨Read!!! I was swept away by this amazing book with an unforgettable journey experiencing a whirlwind of emotions as I delved deeper into the story, eagerly anticipating each new chapter and page wanting to know what’s going to unravel next for the beautiful main characters that the uthor wrote passionately about🤩each chapter you can feel the main characters connections deepened and grow even stronger!! And you enjoy it even more the way you explore a different new song within moments of the book creating a cinematic feel
🥹So excited for the next book in series🤩
“This Wild Catastrophe” Stars two profound main characters-
(🩷Noah Dumaine & Queenie Madhavan🖤)
Arti V Raman, begins her lovely tale when-
Queenie never meant to fib, but when her college bully taunts her about her non-existent love life, she decides to take a stand. She snags the stranger next to her at the party, pretends he's her boyfriend, and shares a kiss with him.Her life is on the verge of imploding after a humiliating video goes viral. That's when the cricket team's star player steps in, offering her a deal: pretend to be his girlfriend for the summer, and he'll help her avoid social ruin. But as they spend more time together, she finds herself falling for him - and risking everything she never would’ve expected🤩
And not only does the Author deliver a engrossing book plot but she does for her stunning main characters🥹
Noah Dumaine💋✨Is hands down my lover boy in all lifetimes, he captured my attention since the very opening page! And didn’t let go once. Everything about his character was profoundly written by the lovely author, he embraces such a golden retriever persona whenever he’s around his Desi girl AKA Queenie🥹throughout his life he has faced so many emotional turmoil challenges and struggles and still possesses a strong demeanor to push through every time🥹You also draw to him even more the way Noah constantly puts out so much towards his lover🥹every step of the way to know every detail of her and showering her with affection & love! With such a attractive protective nature to always protect the love of his life🩷✨
My girlie Queenie🩷✨Embodies kindness and love with a black cat exterior that only lays a heart of pure beauty with a reserved nature drawing you into her story as she epitomizes compassion & empathy, skillfully infusing emotional & heartfelt touching moments from the Author’s skills!!! And it’s also what captured Noah’s attention from the beginning🥹Queenie showers her cherished Lover Noah, whom she loves unconditionally for, Forever & Ever!! remarking a gentle and caring spirit towards him, always expressing her love in various ways that will forever hold them together to the moon and back🥹🖤🩷✨
“It’s wild. It’s catastrophic. It’s everything I have ever wanted in the secret corners of my pragmatic, protected heart.”- Queenie Madhavan🖤✨
“This Wild Catastrophe”
The First Installment In The-
“Playing For Keeps Book Series”
4.8⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨Read!!! I was swept away by this amazing book with an unforgettable journey experiencing a whirlwind of emotions as I delved deeper into the story, eagerly anticipating each new chapter and page wanting to know what’s going to unravel next for the beautiful main characters that the uthor wrote passionately about🤩each chapter you can feel the main characters connections deepened and grow even stronger!! And you enjoy it even more the way you explore a different new song within moments of the book creating a cinematic feel
🥹So excited for the next book in series🤩
“This Wild Catastrophe” Stars two profound main characters-
(🩷Noah Dumaine & Queenie Madhavan🖤)
Arti V Raman, begins her lovely tale when-
Queenie never meant to fib, but when her college bully taunts her about her non-existent love life, she decides to take a stand. She snags the stranger next to her at the party, pretends he's her boyfriend, and shares a kiss with him.Her life is on the verge of imploding after a humiliating video goes viral. That's when the cricket team's star player steps in, offering her a deal: pretend to be his girlfriend for the summer, and he'll help her avoid social ruin. But as they spend more time together, she finds herself falling for him - and risking everything she never would’ve expected🤩
And not only does the Author deliver a engrossing book plot but she does for her stunning main characters🥹
Noah Dumaine💋✨Is hands down my lover boy in all lifetimes, he captured my attention since the very opening page! And didn’t let go once. Everything about his character was profoundly written by the lovely author, he embraces such a golden retriever persona whenever he’s around his Desi girl AKA Queenie🥹throughout his life he has faced so many emotional turmoil challenges and struggles and still possesses a strong demeanor to push through every time🥹You also draw to him even more the way Noah constantly puts out so much towards his lover🥹every step of the way to know every detail of her and showering her with affection & love! With such a attractive protective nature to always protect the love of his life🩷✨
My girlie Queenie🩷✨Embodies kindness and love with a black cat exterior that only lays a heart of pure beauty with a reserved nature drawing you into her story as she epitomizes compassion & empathy, skillfully infusing emotional & heartfelt touching moments from the Author’s skills!!! And it’s also what captured Noah’s attention from the beginning🥹Queenie showers her cherished Lover Noah, whom she loves unconditionally for, Forever & Ever!! remarking a gentle and caring spirit towards him, always expressing her love in various ways that will forever hold them together to the moon and back🥹🖤🩷✨
“It’s wild. It’s catastrophic. It’s everything I have ever wanted in the secret corners of my pragmatic, protected heart.”- Queenie Madhavan🖤✨
March 18, 2025
* ARC received for an honest review *
If you know me, you would know how much of a big cricket fan I am. And also I'm a big fan of Virat Kohli too. When I first saw the blurb for this book, I was so excited to read it. It's my first time reading a book with cricket in it and I loved it so much. Also knowing it was inspired by my favourite Australian cricketer, Glenn Maxwell and his wife, Vini. It made me even more excited. And add fake dating, small town, forced proximity and enemies to lovers tropes to the mix. It was just 😍
This was my first book by Aarti. V. Raman. And I devoured this book from start to finish. It was so good. I loved this book so much.
Queenie Madavan. The sassy desi girl. I love her so much. The way she was so strong and yet so vulnerable. Her insecurities are something so relatable to me. As a desi woman myself and the elder daughter, her confusion about her future, her sense of duty to her family was so understandable. And the way she stood for what was right. She was just amazing.
Noah Dumaine. OMG SWOON 🤌🏾🤌🏾
The man was just everything. The charming boy who held so much pain in the inside. I resonated with everything he was feeling. And the way he was so protective over his closed ones. I love him so much.
Queenie & Noah were just everything. I love their dynamics. I love their banters. I loved that tension. They just had me giggling the whole time. They were a bit of insta - love with fake dating but it worked out perfectly in the end.
I loved the side characters too. They were a perfect blend to the story. And how they all became like one big found family.
The writing was good. And even though I felt like the story dragged a bit at times, I really did enjoy and liked it a lot.
I'm definitely excited to check out the others work by the author. 😁
If you know me, you would know how much of a big cricket fan I am. And also I'm a big fan of Virat Kohli too. When I first saw the blurb for this book, I was so excited to read it. It's my first time reading a book with cricket in it and I loved it so much. Also knowing it was inspired by my favourite Australian cricketer, Glenn Maxwell and his wife, Vini. It made me even more excited. And add fake dating, small town, forced proximity and enemies to lovers tropes to the mix. It was just 😍
This was my first book by Aarti. V. Raman. And I devoured this book from start to finish. It was so good. I loved this book so much.
Queenie Madavan. The sassy desi girl. I love her so much. The way she was so strong and yet so vulnerable. Her insecurities are something so relatable to me. As a desi woman myself and the elder daughter, her confusion about her future, her sense of duty to her family was so understandable. And the way she stood for what was right. She was just amazing.
Noah Dumaine. OMG SWOON 🤌🏾🤌🏾
The man was just everything. The charming boy who held so much pain in the inside. I resonated with everything he was feeling. And the way he was so protective over his closed ones. I love him so much.
Queenie & Noah were just everything. I love their dynamics. I love their banters. I loved that tension. They just had me giggling the whole time. They were a bit of insta - love with fake dating but it worked out perfectly in the end.
I loved the side characters too. They were a perfect blend to the story. And how they all became like one big found family.
The writing was good. And even though I felt like the story dragged a bit at times, I really did enjoy and liked it a lot.
I'm definitely excited to check out the others work by the author. 😁
April 2, 2025
The Wild Catastrophe is a cricket romance book with fake dating trope. Umm yes!!!!! CRICKET. FINALLYYYY!!!!!
.
.
I'll admit that I was skeptical about it because this was my first time reading a cricket romance book and there are not many options in this specific trope but let me say that this book exceeded all my expectations. I love love LOVED it.
.
.
Noah is an Aussie cricketer who just wormed his way into my heart with his sweet charming personality and a big fluffy heart. And obviously because he is a cricketer. Totally Swooning !!!! He is everything, a boy with so much pain inside yet always there to help her.
.
.
Queenie is a sassy desi girl and a college dropout with her own share of problems and insecurities who doesn't back down and aces every problem. She is strong yet so vulnerable. She is me because she is also a big fan of VIRAT KOHLI (aka loml) soooo yessss i love her.
.
.
Their relationship is just lovey dovey and aforable. Their banter is amazing and so is the tension. They were so sweet I was giggling the entire time. Their relationship dynamic is everything. The only thing that didn't resonate with me was the breakup situation, which I am going to ignore, because everything worked out in the end.
.
This was my first book by this author but one thing I can say for sure is that it is definitely not the last.
.
.
I'll admit that I was skeptical about it because this was my first time reading a cricket romance book and there are not many options in this specific trope but let me say that this book exceeded all my expectations. I love love LOVED it.
.
.
Noah is an Aussie cricketer who just wormed his way into my heart with his sweet charming personality and a big fluffy heart. And obviously because he is a cricketer. Totally Swooning !!!! He is everything, a boy with so much pain inside yet always there to help her.
.
.
Queenie is a sassy desi girl and a college dropout with her own share of problems and insecurities who doesn't back down and aces every problem. She is strong yet so vulnerable. She is me because she is also a big fan of VIRAT KOHLI (aka loml) soooo yessss i love her.
.
.
Their relationship is just lovey dovey and aforable. Their banter is amazing and so is the tension. They were so sweet I was giggling the entire time. Their relationship dynamic is everything. The only thing that didn't resonate with me was the breakup situation, which I am going to ignore, because everything worked out in the end.
.
This was my first book by this author but one thing I can say for sure is that it is definitely not the last.
March 5, 2025
This Wild Catastrophe is a cricket romance with fake dating, fiery banter, and ALL the tension. This book had me in a chokehold from start to finish! The push and pull between the characters, the high stakes of their relationship, and the emotional depth made it impossible to put down.
Queenie and Noah’s dynamic is everything, chaotic, intense, and filled with the kind of chemistry that makes you forget everything else. Their first meeting was iconic. Queenie kissing Noah to get out of a situation had me obsessed. But I loved the slow unraveling of emotions, watching them go from fighting each other to fighting for each other was my favorite part.
I loved how Aarti made cricket an integral part of their journey rather than just a background detail. This book made me feel everything, from frustration to full-on heart eyes. And that third-act breakup hurt in the best way. If you love sports romances, fake dating, and slow-burn tension, this one needs to be on your TBR!
Queenie and Noah’s dynamic is everything, chaotic, intense, and filled with the kind of chemistry that makes you forget everything else. Their first meeting was iconic. Queenie kissing Noah to get out of a situation had me obsessed. But I loved the slow unraveling of emotions, watching them go from fighting each other to fighting for each other was my favorite part.
I loved how Aarti made cricket an integral part of their journey rather than just a background detail. This book made me feel everything, from frustration to full-on heart eyes. And that third-act breakup hurt in the best way. If you love sports romances, fake dating, and slow-burn tension, this one needs to be on your TBR!
March 12, 2025
OBSESSED WITH EVERYTHING THIS AUTHOR WRITES 😍😍
A sassy desi girl who's in love with cricket and is an academic topper and falls hopelessly in love with a super stunning and adorable and golden retriever australian cricket captain!! Sign me up!!!!!
The writing was so addictive and I couldn't stop reading this book! The characters were sometimes too relatable and I just wanted to hug them tight! This book showed the proper meaning of giving and receiving love and warmth of found family.
The romance was sooooo swoonyy and the small gestures and quick banter was everything!! I loved to see my other favv characters in this book and I can't wait for the next books in the Barron's Bay world!!
Aarti could write about paint being dried and I would happily read it 🤭💖
A sassy desi girl who's in love with cricket and is an academic topper and falls hopelessly in love with a super stunning and adorable and golden retriever australian cricket captain!! Sign me up!!!!!
The writing was so addictive and I couldn't stop reading this book! The characters were sometimes too relatable and I just wanted to hug them tight! This book showed the proper meaning of giving and receiving love and warmth of found family.
The romance was sooooo swoonyy and the small gestures and quick banter was everything!! I loved to see my other favv characters in this book and I can't wait for the next books in the Barron's Bay world!!
Aarti could write about paint being dried and I would happily read it 🤭💖
April 20, 2025
I’ve always loved sports romances, but This Wild Catastrophe was my first cricket romance—and it didn’t disappoint!
Queenie Madhavan, a college dropout forced to pause her studies after a personal crisis, and Noah Dumaine, a talented cricketer fighting to revive his dream of playing for Australia’s national team, have an electric first meeting. What starts as a wholesome connection takes a sharp turn when they suddenly find themselves fake-dating and sharing a space, neither of them expected.
I loved how seamlessly the author wove cricket into their story—it wasn’t just a backdrop but a core part of their journey. This book made me feel everything, and yes, the third-act conflict had me sobbing (in the best way). If you’re into sports romances and cricket, don’t miss this one.
Side note: I’d devour absolutely anything this author writes!
Queenie Madhavan, a college dropout forced to pause her studies after a personal crisis, and Noah Dumaine, a talented cricketer fighting to revive his dream of playing for Australia’s national team, have an electric first meeting. What starts as a wholesome connection takes a sharp turn when they suddenly find themselves fake-dating and sharing a space, neither of them expected.
I loved how seamlessly the author wove cricket into their story—it wasn’t just a backdrop but a core part of their journey. This book made me feel everything, and yes, the third-act conflict had me sobbing (in the best way). If you’re into sports romances and cricket, don’t miss this one.
Side note: I’d devour absolutely anything this author writes!
June 12, 2025
I have been a cricket fan since forever and i have read a couple of sports romance but never a cricket romance.
And this book was so good, this was my first book by Aarti and she did a great job.
The writing was nuanced and the plot was so interesting. I loved how Aarti made cricket an integral part of their journey rather than just a background detail. This book made me feel everything, from angst, frustration to full on heart eyes.
Noah is sweet, protective, possessive and very caring he is the kind of man i dream about.
Queenie on the other hand is a sassy, witty woman, god i love her so much.
Queenie and Noah’s dynamic is everything i needed, chaotic, intense, and filled with the kind of chemistry that makes you giggle like a love sick puppy.
Also the jersey moment was so damn cute😭😭
Highly recommend this to all the cricket girlies❤️❤️
And this book was so good, this was my first book by Aarti and she did a great job.
The writing was nuanced and the plot was so interesting. I loved how Aarti made cricket an integral part of their journey rather than just a background detail. This book made me feel everything, from angst, frustration to full on heart eyes.
Noah is sweet, protective, possessive and very caring he is the kind of man i dream about.
Queenie on the other hand is a sassy, witty woman, god i love her so much.
Queenie and Noah’s dynamic is everything i needed, chaotic, intense, and filled with the kind of chemistry that makes you giggle like a love sick puppy.
Also the jersey moment was so damn cute😭😭
Highly recommend this to all the cricket girlies❤️❤️
March 4, 2025
Arc review ✨
Cricket is not a sport I’m well versed in. I nearly knew the basic and this book is a great introduction to the sport. It follows Noah a young man from Australia whom is invited to join an exclusive training camp in the US. Here he meets Queenie our heroine. They have fun night together at a party, that is swiftly ruined by the towns mean girls. This ends up causing a rift between the two and they become more hostile. They have to fake date to save face.
The premise of the book was good,yet I felt like the story needed more
It is heavily based on action descriptions and dialogue. I was missing more depth to the story and environment the characters were in. It’s also a lot of paragraphs and chapter cuts that made me struggle with the book.
All in all, fun if you want a cricket romance. Not my favorite.
Rating 3⭐️
Spice 2🌶️
Cricket is not a sport I’m well versed in. I nearly knew the basic and this book is a great introduction to the sport. It follows Noah a young man from Australia whom is invited to join an exclusive training camp in the US. Here he meets Queenie our heroine. They have fun night together at a party, that is swiftly ruined by the towns mean girls. This ends up causing a rift between the two and they become more hostile. They have to fake date to save face.
The premise of the book was good,yet I felt like the story needed more
It is heavily based on action descriptions and dialogue. I was missing more depth to the story and environment the characters were in. It’s also a lot of paragraphs and chapter cuts that made me struggle with the book.
All in all, fun if you want a cricket romance. Not my favorite.
Rating 3⭐️
Spice 2🌶️
March 12, 2025
This was my first-ever cricket romance read, and it turned out to be such a delightful experience. Queenie Madhavan works at a diner after dropping out of college due to certain circumstances, while Noah Dumaine is a cricketer with one goal- to play for the Australian men’s team. Their meet-cute was absolutely adorable, but soon after, a scandal erupted, forcing them to work together for their own benefit.
Both characters had their flaws, and it was so rewarding to watch them grow and develop into remarkable individuals. The witty banter and sizzling chemistry had me giggling and kicking my feet late into the night. The friendships in this story were also a highlight, as it was heartwarming to see how everyone had each other’s backs.
I especially appreciated the sensitive issues that were handled with such care, which made the book even more meaningful. One of my favorite aspects was Queenie’s journey of self-discovery. Watching her grow and stand up for herself filled me with pride. And the Taylor Swift reference toward the end? It completely stole my heart. If you love small-town and sports romances(cricket), fake dating, elder daughters, and curvy FMCs, then this book is definitely for you! 🫶🏻
Both characters had their flaws, and it was so rewarding to watch them grow and develop into remarkable individuals. The witty banter and sizzling chemistry had me giggling and kicking my feet late into the night. The friendships in this story were also a highlight, as it was heartwarming to see how everyone had each other’s backs.
I especially appreciated the sensitive issues that were handled with such care, which made the book even more meaningful. One of my favorite aspects was Queenie’s journey of self-discovery. Watching her grow and stand up for herself filled me with pride. And the Taylor Swift reference toward the end? It completely stole my heart. If you love small-town and sports romances(cricket), fake dating, elder daughters, and curvy FMCs, then this book is definitely for you! 🫶🏻
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2025
3.5 stars
This book was good, I thought it was really interesting and kept me entertained. Noah and Queenie were so cute, I really liked all of the banter. Also liked how Noah took care of Queenie. I did like that this was about Cricket, something you don't see often in romance books (at least to my knowledge) and something I wasn't really familiar with but thought was interesting!
Thank you for sending me an ARC!
This book was good, I thought it was really interesting and kept me entertained. Noah and Queenie were so cute, I really liked all of the banter. Also liked how Noah took care of Queenie. I did like that this was about Cricket, something you don't see often in romance books (at least to my knowledge) and something I wasn't really familiar with but thought was interesting!
Thank you for sending me an ARC!
March 2, 2025
So glad I chose to read this ARC.
As an Australian, I loved the male character and him being a cricket player. The characters were so fun and they were so well written and I enjoyed the plot and the cricket as the main sport was perfect.
As an Australian, I loved the male character and him being a cricket player. The characters were so fun and they were so well written and I enjoyed the plot and the cricket as the main sport was perfect.
dnf
May 26, 2025DNF - I couldn’t get past the multiple cricket references. Despite there being a handy guide in the beginning to help readers understand the sport, having to repeatedly reference it pulled me out of the story.
April 10, 2025
• She is a university student who dropped out with scandalous secrets; he is a cricket player with unwavering focus… When they clash, the heat can only be described as a Wild Catastrophe. To silence the town’s gossip and secure his place on the cricket field, the famous player Noah must fake a romance with Queenie 💌
• To keep the rumors at bay and protect his future in cricket, Noah needs Queenie to pretend to be his girlfriend. But she can’t understand why a determined millionaire would go to such lengths to fake a relationship just to safeguard his career. On the other hand, Noah is puzzled as to why such an intelligent and sharp-witted woman would walk away from an Ivy League education to work as a waitress 🍹
• What begins as a simple deal soon unravels into something deeper when their passionate disputes transform into an unexpected connection., and the secrets they’ve both been hiding start to surface. In the end, perhaps the greatest catastrophe isn’t pretending to be together—but actually falling in love 🔥
• The engaging storytelling, the dual POV that allows us to dive into both protagonists' minds, and the way events unfold, adding depth and complexity to the romance, make this book impossible to put down. More than just a love story, it’s a journey of self-acceptance, growth, and the courage to face the past. The author reminds us that true love isn’t just about cherishing someone’s best traits, but also about accepting and embracing their flaws—and the heroine’s journey of personal growth is a testament to that ❤️
• On top of that, the secondary characters, Fox and Ares, completely stole my heart, and I need books about them ASAP! I already know I’ll be following every single release in this series because this author has won me over entirely. An intense, passionate, and unforgettable read! ✨
• To keep the rumors at bay and protect his future in cricket, Noah needs Queenie to pretend to be his girlfriend. But she can’t understand why a determined millionaire would go to such lengths to fake a relationship just to safeguard his career. On the other hand, Noah is puzzled as to why such an intelligent and sharp-witted woman would walk away from an Ivy League education to work as a waitress 🍹
• What begins as a simple deal soon unravels into something deeper when their passionate disputes transform into an unexpected connection., and the secrets they’ve both been hiding start to surface. In the end, perhaps the greatest catastrophe isn’t pretending to be together—but actually falling in love 🔥
• The engaging storytelling, the dual POV that allows us to dive into both protagonists' minds, and the way events unfold, adding depth and complexity to the romance, make this book impossible to put down. More than just a love story, it’s a journey of self-acceptance, growth, and the courage to face the past. The author reminds us that true love isn’t just about cherishing someone’s best traits, but also about accepting and embracing their flaws—and the heroine’s journey of personal growth is a testament to that ❤️
• On top of that, the secondary characters, Fox and Ares, completely stole my heart, and I need books about them ASAP! I already know I’ll be following every single release in this series because this author has won me over entirely. An intense, passionate, and unforgettable read! ✨
July 26, 2025
I enjoyed this one sm✨👌🏻
My cricket girlie heart is full.
My cricket girlie heart is full.
September 6, 2025
Such a cute story!! Personally, if it had more refined tuning and editing I’d give it another star. But overall very fun and a nice read.
April 18, 2025
*ARC REVIEW*
"𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦'𝘴 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘐'𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘐𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘐 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘋𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘦. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘐'𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘐𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮." 💙
first of all, i'd like to express my most heartfelt gratitude to @authoraartivraman for reaching out to me with a review copy in exchange of an honest review! 🫶🏻 when i saw the blurb for this one, i just knew it was something i was gonna love- a sports romance featuring the most iconic international cricket rivalry, and fake dating?! think of a book with all the vibes from taylor swift's "the alchemy" 🤍🏆
now though, to say that i love this wild catastrophe is actually an understatement- i ADORE it with every fibre of my being💘 reading this book felt like being wrapped up in a warm hug with my favourite people, and the fact that i've been a fan of the sport all my life made this read even more special🥹
the chemistry between our main characters devika "queenie" madhavan & noah dumaine was top-notch❤️🔥i grew immensely proud of both of them by the end of this book- their character arcs were insane and i just loved how they were there for each other through it all! absolute goals🤌
shoutout to all the desi, pop culture references in this one- i laughed, i swooned, i fell in love and have undoubtedly found a new fav author and series for life♾️ loved the chapter-wise playlist and that sneak peek at the end?? i need the next book like right now!
initially rated this one 4.5★ when i read it last month, but the more i think about it now, the more i seem to fall in love with the book! HIGHLY RECOMMEND. and i definitely think it's perfect for even non-cricket fans as the author has done a splendid job with explaining & portraying everything to perfection ◡̈
"𝘐'𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘨𝘪𝘧𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘴 𝘐 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴, 𝘘𝘶𝘦𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘦."
𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝑰'𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒔 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒔 𝑰 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆. 💌
■□■□■□■□■
4.5★ this book was so cute and just exactly what i needed to get out of my slump🏏 full rtc soon! 🥰
thank you to the author for giving me the opportunity to read a review copy of this one🫶🏻
"𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦'𝘴 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘐'𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘐𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘐 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘋𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘦. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘐'𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘐𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮." 💙
first of all, i'd like to express my most heartfelt gratitude to @authoraartivraman for reaching out to me with a review copy in exchange of an honest review! 🫶🏻 when i saw the blurb for this one, i just knew it was something i was gonna love- a sports romance featuring the most iconic international cricket rivalry, and fake dating?! think of a book with all the vibes from taylor swift's "the alchemy" 🤍🏆
now though, to say that i love this wild catastrophe is actually an understatement- i ADORE it with every fibre of my being💘 reading this book felt like being wrapped up in a warm hug with my favourite people, and the fact that i've been a fan of the sport all my life made this read even more special🥹
the chemistry between our main characters devika "queenie" madhavan & noah dumaine was top-notch❤️🔥i grew immensely proud of both of them by the end of this book- their character arcs were insane and i just loved how they were there for each other through it all! absolute goals🤌
shoutout to all the desi, pop culture references in this one- i laughed, i swooned, i fell in love and have undoubtedly found a new fav author and series for life♾️ loved the chapter-wise playlist and that sneak peek at the end?? i need the next book like right now!
initially rated this one 4.5★ when i read it last month, but the more i think about it now, the more i seem to fall in love with the book! HIGHLY RECOMMEND. and i definitely think it's perfect for even non-cricket fans as the author has done a splendid job with explaining & portraying everything to perfection ◡̈
"𝘐'𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘨𝘪𝘧𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘴 𝘐 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴, 𝘘𝘶𝘦𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘦."
𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝑰'𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒔 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒔 𝑰 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆. 💌
■□■□■□■□■
4.5★ this book was so cute and just exactly what i needed to get out of my slump🏏 full rtc soon! 🥰
thank you to the author for giving me the opportunity to read a review copy of this one🫶🏻
May 3, 2025
I don't understand how there is so much good material in this book and such lack of depth. The characters want to be real. The author wants to make them real, but they aren't.
Emily Henry once wrote that when women write fiction, it's either in the romantic genre of women's fiction. When men write fiction, it's just fiction. Books like these remind me that female authors need to do better. If you choose to call your novel chic lit, doesn't mean you can publish the most simple thing you could whip up.
Only notes for the author:
Research more and do better. Flesh the characters out in a more real way.
Notes for the readers:
You know what to expect. Imagine pies and American skies with almost no cricket. Or just read Zoya Factor. Sure there are no spicy scenes in Zoya Factor, but it is a real book with a real cricket romance that isn’t limited in so many ways.
Emily Henry once wrote that when women write fiction, it's either in the romantic genre of women's fiction. When men write fiction, it's just fiction. Books like these remind me that female authors need to do better. If you choose to call your novel chic lit, doesn't mean you can publish the most simple thing you could whip up.
Only notes for the author:
Research more and do better. Flesh the characters out in a more real way.
Notes for the readers:
You know what to expect. Imagine pies and American skies with almost no cricket. Or just read Zoya Factor. Sure there are no spicy scenes in Zoya Factor, but it is a real book with a real cricket romance that isn’t limited in so many ways.
March 14, 2025
The cover made me sign up for the ARC. Also, the cover for the ARC edition is so pretty, i can't explain. Starting this and I am so excited. Thanks to the author for sending me the ARC copy.
Okay, I finished reading this finally. I read this book for the entire day today, and I am so glad I did. Cricket romance isn't something I read before and this book truly made me love it. Noah is so charming and swoon worthy!!! I adore Queen's personality. A true Hell cat!
Their love healed something in me.
I really needed a good rom-com kind of book, and this book delivered!!
This book showed that at times you might find it hard to love yourself, but someone will make you fall in love with you first. You will learn to love every flawed bit of you and find someone who will do the same. Noah and Queenie has my heart! Ares and Fox- the men they are! The best roomies ever! Jace, Simon and Mischa are the friends who would be your ride or die.
The little gestures by both MCs were so cute. Queen and her pies, and Noah and his jersey. Boy gave a jersey to a girl for the first time!! Guys, take notes. And girls- don't settle for anything less. It may not be a jersey but oh well!
Being the elder daughter of the family, I feel Queen Madhavan. The urge to be straight A student and not disappoint your family is something that will always be in us.
I am sat for Mischa and Fox's story. You will find me in line for ARC. After reading the excerpt, I am truly invested. The last line by Mischa has made me start overthinking. A twin of Fox?? Hello? What do you mean??
Okay, I finished reading this finally. I read this book for the entire day today, and I am so glad I did. Cricket romance isn't something I read before and this book truly made me love it. Noah is so charming and swoon worthy!!! I adore Queen's personality. A true Hell cat!
Their love healed something in me.
I really needed a good rom-com kind of book, and this book delivered!!
This book showed that at times you might find it hard to love yourself, but someone will make you fall in love with you first. You will learn to love every flawed bit of you and find someone who will do the same. Noah and Queenie has my heart! Ares and Fox- the men they are! The best roomies ever! Jace, Simon and Mischa are the friends who would be your ride or die.
The little gestures by both MCs were so cute. Queen and her pies, and Noah and his jersey. Boy gave a jersey to a girl for the first time!! Guys, take notes. And girls- don't settle for anything less. It may not be a jersey but oh well!
Being the elder daughter of the family, I feel Queen Madhavan. The urge to be straight A student and not disappoint your family is something that will always be in us.
I am sat for Mischa and Fox's story. You will find me in line for ARC. After reading the excerpt, I am truly invested. The last line by Mischa has made me start overthinking. A twin of Fox?? Hello? What do you mean??
April 7, 2025
To Aarti V Raman, congratulation on the new novel 🥳 and thank you for allowing me to read and gifting me a copy of this novel! 📖 Oh my, let me say firstly Queenie our fmc is so strong, and fearless firstly she is a college dropout however she is still a hardworking woman as a waitress and is trying to make ends meet. Now, one night duh duh duhh she meets Noah our mmc and they have a night and lets just say the title of this novel This Wild Catastrophe lives up to the expectations given to the storyline! 🤭 After, their crazy time together , their relationship from fake to real, started an endless connection that caused instant connections of emotions and it had me in love after each page! Noah my goodness is 🫢 intriguing as I read more and more about his character he held so much in and as we know it is only so much a person can hold in their pain and problems but within that he is still a guy that when meeting Queenie falling for her he has a protectiveness and carefulness for her as well ✨which is such a adding foundation to their relationship! Noah is also a lovely character who is attentive sweet and kind, but mixing qualities of those nature and adding that fuel to a flame with Queenie sharp traits of strong, being fearless, having a sense of duties to her family but also still fighting through her own insecurities as well and with those characteristics both Queenie and Noah made such a great pair not only in friendship but in a relationship. The love within Queenie and Noah relationship started with banter and I love me some banter dynamics 😅, but also how both the fmc and our mmc supported each other and lifted each other up, it throughout the story created a blend of supported love within strengthened their instant-love connection to more strength to work out more better! 💗 Let me also say, the side characters and friends within this book were such a special part that made this read much more enjoyable, and the side characters appearances and output added a special blend of greatness, and the pacing of the book was amazing. This book is such a favorite of mine! I totally recommend and thank you to the author ✍🏼 for this amazing story. I loved it so much! 🥰
Thank you to the author, for this amazing read and for gifting me a copy of this read! 📖 This book taught me to not give up and to take my life day by day, and one day within that you never know who and what will show up to help approach and improve your story and situation, or experiences. The pacing and love story of Queenie and Noah had me in love from start to finish, and I could be any more happies and ecstatic 🥰! Thank you, and I can’t wait for what else you have in store for the future!
Tropes: ᥫ᭡.
💓 Australian Golden Boy x Indian (Desi) Black Cat
💞 Fake dating the coach’s curvy goddaughter
💖 Cricket player x cricket fan
💜 Teams’ Rivalry - India v/s Australia
💓 Fake Dating
💚 ‘MY GIRL
💜 ‘ASSHOLE’
❤️ Emotional Angst!
🔥🌶️ The video made them do it!
💖 You’re obsessed with my country’s rival team so of course I’m obsessed with you!
💘GUARANTEED HEA
Thank you to the author, for this amazing read and for gifting me a copy of this read! 📖 This book taught me to not give up and to take my life day by day, and one day within that you never know who and what will show up to help approach and improve your story and situation, or experiences. The pacing and love story of Queenie and Noah had me in love from start to finish, and I could be any more happies and ecstatic 🥰! Thank you, and I can’t wait for what else you have in store for the future!
Tropes: ᥫ᭡.
💓 Australian Golden Boy x Indian (Desi) Black Cat
💞 Fake dating the coach’s curvy goddaughter
💖 Cricket player x cricket fan
💜 Teams’ Rivalry - India v/s Australia
💓 Fake Dating
💚 ‘MY GIRL
💜 ‘ASSHOLE’
❤️ Emotional Angst!
🔥🌶️ The video made them do it!
💖 You’re obsessed with my country’s rival team so of course I’m obsessed with you!
💘GUARANTEED HEA
Displaying 1 - 30 of 187 reviews