Freshly dumped Rayna Dutt does not feel like flying to her best friend’s big fat Indian wedding. But letting down her friend is not an option. So, she decides to grin and bear it. A mix up with room allocations forces her to share a luxury villa with Neel Arora, the gorgeous owner of the resort and best man at the wedding. Sparks fly and attraction sizzles.
When her ex turns up with a new girl on his arm, scandal comes calling. In desperation, she turns to Neel and proposes a fake engagement. As the attraction between them reaches fever pitch, it seems like Rayna has signed up for more trouble than ever!
*This book was previously published by Harlequin/Mills & Boon as Trouble Has a New Name
Adite Banerjie discovered the wonderful world of books at an early age which sparked her interest in writing. After a fulfilling and exciting career as a business journalist she turned her attention to fiction.
Three of her romance novels have been published by Harlequin/Harper Collins India. In 2018 she embarked on her indie journey as an author-publisher.
She also writes screenplays. 7 Lives, a short film she wrote on organ donation is currently streaming on Amazon Prime (US, UK). In 2017 one of her scripts made it to the semi-finals of the prestigious Academy Nicholl Fellowships. She is currently writing the script for a culture and cuisine show to be hosted my master chef Sanjeev Kapoor.
When she is not grappling with her current work-in-progress, she enjoys spending time with her husband and watching back-to-back movies.
Fans of Bollywood romance tales will delight in this jam packed fun novel!
When Rayna Dutt is dumped by her boyfriend, she immediately decides to make somebody her fake fiance to attend her bestfriend's destination wedding. Neel seems just perfect for the show. Although he has shut his heart, he cannot resist seeing Rayna standing on his doorstep. After a bit of reluctance, he agrees to do the favor.
Much to the trouble of the protagonists, they have now started developing feelings for each other. The love is in the air, bubbling and bursting. The emotions are heating up but are they meant to last?
What happens next is fun to watch.
With an eloquent writing style, the author has dovetailed a good romance with conflicts between the love-birds. Enjoyable plot and a descriptive manner of writing. Beautifully crafted to say the very least.
To witness drama amalgamated with rom-com, you can read this one.
"He made me love him without looking at me.” ----Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre
Adite Banerjie, an Indian writer, has spun an entertaining and equally heart-touching love-story, Trouble Has A New Name that features a spicy mixture of love-drama in the midst of a blue ocean.
Synopsis: “Will you pretend to be my fiancé for the next few days?” Recently-single model Rayna Dutt does not feel like flying to her friend’s big fat Indian wedding. But she does - and when a mix up with room allocations forces her to share a luxury villa on Emerald Isle with the gorgeous owner of the hotel - Neel Arora - and best man at the wedding, things begin to look up. Until Rayna’s ex turns up with a new girl on his arm! Hitting the panic button, Rayna searches for a solution. Surely Neel wouldn’t mind being her fake fiancé…? In an instant the attraction they share is fever pitch, but when scandal comes calling, Rayna soon finds herself in more trouble than she can handle!
Rayna Dutt, a super-model, freshly dumped by her boyfriend, is attending her bff, Milee's wedding in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. So consequently, Rayna has no time to grief over spilled milk, thus blacking her heart from feeling the pain. Upon reaching, she asks the owner of the resort to act as her fake fiance. Neel, a powerful and successful businessman, has a lot of past ghosts, instead he keeps them hidden from the outer world and flows with the stream of his life's river. Things get much heated up, when he agrees upon to be Rayna's fiance and this time they both can't deny that inevitable attraction between them. Read the book to know more about these two tortured souls!
The author have crafted a charming love-trouble between her protagonists. Firstly, her narrative style is quite articulate and this because of her free-flowing prose. The author have in fact carefully chosen her words to bring out the emotions live among her readers. What was astounding to see was that the author have embodies all the correct emotions aptly at the right moments! Moreover, she narrated the whole story with much compassion, thus pulling us into the emotional roller-coaster ride of Rayna and Neel.
The characterization is pretty strong, and the characters are striking enough to be compared with the real-life characters. Their problems are also true enough to be believed bu the readers and we can easily relate with their emotional turmoil. Well, weak points, at times, the narration became dull since at those moments, the too-much emotions simply marred the charm of the plot.
Well, the author has vividly painted the bluish-green backdrop of Andaman Islands! That picturesque landscape simply transports you to this heavenly paradise and be lost in this passionate love drama of Rayna and Neel.
Verdict: Bolly-lovers would love this book and for those who enjoy a no-fuss cheesy love-story, then definitely grab a copy of this book.
Courtesy: Thanks to the author for the review copy!
Having read Adite Banerjie's first offering - The Indian Tycoon's Marriage Deal - earlier, I was looking forward to her next. It was great to discover that book two was even better!
The first thing I wanted to do, when I finished the last page of 'Trouble' was to fly down immediately to the Emerald Isle - that is how fabulously Adite has described the colorful, vibrant location of her story! Rayna and Neel are beautiful, though flawed, people who come together thanks to a series of immutable laws! Rayna won't be amused, but I really enjoyed how she got into one scrape after another. Neel, wicked charmer, has no compunction about leading her on - to his own gain, as you will find when you read 'Trouble'!
The conflicts, internal and external, are tough and test the duo, but love triumphs eventually. The author makes the journey - from first skirmish to happily ever after - fun! Must read!
Dumped by her boyfriend, Rayna takes the opportunity to move away to her best friend's wedding. There the lead pair meet and the romance starts from there. Interesting narration and good characters. Liked it.
I won a copy of Trouble has a new name in a competition conducted by M&B and I have to say I enjoyed my evening curled up in bed with my prize. I'll keep my review spoiler free so you can discover the story for yourself. Charming, breezy and lighthearted, Rayna and Neel's story has you both rooting for the protagonists and wanting to whack them upside the head when they're being obtuse. A well crafted, sweetly detailed story that draws you in and has you as invested in the outcome as the lead pair, Trouble has a new name earns its place on your bookshelf as a book that leaves you with a smile on both your face and your heart.
This is the second book of Adite Banerjie’s that I am reading, the first one being The Indian Tycoon’s Marriage Deal. I must say that the author has taken a huge leap in her writing style for the better. I found Trouble Has A New Name infinitely more interesting than her first one which was excellent too.
The Story:
Rayna is a super model who has been dumped by Sid – through a text message. She doesn’t have time to lick her wounds as she rushes to her best friend Milee’s wedding to Chris in the Andaman Islands. The wedding venue is Nirvana on the Beach, owned and run by Neel Arora. On an instinct, she asks him to be her pretend fiancé – to keep all the folks from her hometown off her back.
What she does not expect is the sizzling attraction between the handsome hunk and herself. But Neel has his own set of problems it seems and is not in a state for commitment. Read the book to find out what happens to the two of them
This book is a complete package for anyone who wants to be transported to a dream world. Emerald Isle, a picturesque Island in the Andamans, a big fat Indian wedding, a drool worthy hero and a spirited heroine. Can it get any better? Yes it can if the author is Adite. There are troubles brewing, internal and external conflicts and brilliant narration.
The characters are well etched. I suspect I have developed a mad crush on Neel. I wanted to give Rayna a hug at times. Poor girlie always had troubles coming her way.
Another favourite character was Agra Aunty. Seemed extremely life like.
Highly recommended if you love being transported to a world of love through well written words.
Meet the Dumpee, Rayna Dutt, who gets drunk on tequila and wakes up with a terrible hangover. She’s dealing with the shock of Sid Verma, the Dumper, breaking up via text message – “It’s over!” But she can’t wallow in peace. She’s got a plane to catch and must be at the airport in twelve minutes flat. It’s her best friend Milee’s wedding in the Andaman Islands, and she is supposed to take her friend’s trousseau with her….
She jumps into the cab and gets going, only to find too late that she is still wearing her cute flip-flops – topped with pink fluffy teddy bears. Aargh! Too late to do anything about it. She has to brazen it out. Hardly the right look for a top model from the megacity Mumbai, but what can you do?
Rayna runs onto the tarmac just as they are preparing to remove the steps, getting into the special chartered flight that is ferrying the very important personages who are attending the wedding. Neel Arora, the hot hotelier hunk whose resort is the venue of the wedding, is waiting impatiently, working up a temper. He hates this job of pandering to stupid people and their egos, doing PR work when he would rather be expanding his hospitality empire. But it is his partner’s wedding and he cannot welsh on the niceties, though he hates them.
Well, this is the spectacular start to Adite Banerjie’s second book, Trouble has a new name. Of course the sparks fly from that moment on. Rayna’s honey brown eyes and Neel’s steel grey eyes clash. He snipes at her, she snarls back. Her stomach roils when they hit an air pocket, she runs to the washroom. And manages to topple over a glass of orange juice the stewardess is carrying onto Mr Surly Hunk’s pristine shirt. Things don’t look too promising, do they?
And then, who should she encounter but Sleazy Shah, the photographer whom she hates? Who invited him to the wedding? He’s in a hideous pink shirt and yellow pants, or is it the other way around? He flashes his camera at her blotchy face and makes cracks about her obviously hungover appearance. Well, Rayna hates all these guys after they call her Sid’s latest squeeze.
But the sad thing was that it turned out to be true. Sid had dumped her when she had been dreaming of moving in with him, getting married, and living happily ever after. God, she hated men and would steer clear of affairs of the heart. And keep away from Mr Steel Grey Heart. Well, there’s not much you can do to keep destiny at bay, especially when you are stuck together in the same villa, is there? And when the frangipani and bougainvillea, the silvery sands and starlit skies are conspiring to make you fall in love? The inevitable happens. Rayna and Neel tangle and then tango in a passionate dance. Rayna loses her heart again, only to be dumped when Neel curtly dismisses her and returns to attend to his own personal demons.
What are they? Why he is so secretive? Will she every find out and is there a chance that they will come together again? You have to read the book to find out!
Adite’s second Harlequin romance flies fast on wings of delight, taking you along on a mind-blowing caper. There are the interesting main characters, the cleverly woven back story and the lovely cameos to keep you going. You have Agra Aunt with her cloying rose perfume, who moves to the Gangnam beat, which she calls the dance of the Korean Govinda! We have many other interesting characters and colourful wedding descriptions all set against the lush tropical surroundings of the Andaman Islands.
So, what are you waiting for? Get your copy of the book, settle down and enjoy this emotional rollercoaster!
Weddings can be a magical occasion and Indian weddings even more so. Beautiful model Rayna Dutt has come to an Indian Ocean island to attend her best friend’s wedding. However, behind her mesmerizing smile there lies a pool of pain and heartache. Ditched by her boyfriend on the verge of her moving in with him; she proposes a make believe engagement to Neel Arora the owner of the resort where she is staying to attend her friend’s wedding. She does this to get away from the press, inquisitive friends and relatives from her past and to save face in front of the very man who ditched her. Somewhere is all this Rayna realizes that she wants more than just a pretend engagement. She wants a real relationship. Suave, sophisticated, successful Neel; who hides his guilty demons away behind a mask of efficiency and indifference. He is blown away by Rayna but is too scared to admit it; sure that his past will catch up with him over here too and destroy everything.
Will Neel be able to conquer his fears and go to Rayna before she gives up on him?
This is the second book that I have read of Adite Banerjies and yet again I was captivated by her settings and her descriptions. They were beautiful and just pulled you in. Neel’s anguish at his sister’s condition was palpable and the strength of Rayna came through in her ability to deal with whatever life threw her way. The passion between them is electric and fairly bounced off the pages. What really stayed with me though was the spirit Rayna brings to the situation even when she is absolutely down in the dumps and at her lowest.
She gets up; the smile is flashed once again for ‘the show must go on.’
Rayna Dutt, a successful model dumped by her boyfriend through a text message. Insulted and tormented, nursing a bruised ego Rayna has to attend her best friend's wedding. Unknown to the fact that she will be burning with desire after meeting the 'hot' hotelier Neel Arora. The sizzling passion and their chemistry has been brought out brilliantly by the author. All that you want when you pick up a M&B. The right mix of lust,mush and jitters makes this book a fun read.
The beautiful locales of Andaman and 'The Big Fat Indian Wedding' with relatable characters like Agra Aunty, curious friend Radhika and the sleaze ball Aziz make the settings and the characters 'real.' Though, the story evolves in a true bollywood film style yet holds its originality in the narrative and character development. Adite Banerjie has taken advantage of her screenwriting abilities to set the tone of the book and her characters.
All in all a book that you can curl up with on your bed:)
Banerjie was a new to me author when I read her debut novel, The Indian Tycoon's Marriage Deal. I jumped at the chance to read her second book, Trouble Has a New Name, and it didn't disappoint. It was a quick read which again had the story set in India and I was immediately immersed in the culture and the locations especially with the use of Indian words and explanations and the vivid descriptions that gave me breathtaking views.
Nirvana on the Beach, the name of the resort that Neel is a co-owner in, has everything you could want both inside and out. Chris, one of his partners, was set to marry Milee there, who happened to be Rayna's best friend. From the minute Rayna and Neel met on the way to the wedding there were sparks flying and not all were happy ones! They seemed to rub each other the wrong way while in reality they both had a lot of baggage they were dealing with from their pasts and previous relationships and neither was good at trusting, showing their feelings or finding love. Watching them lower their barriers and then raise them again was heartbreaking because when they let the other in they were good for each other and it made them individually believe good things could happen to them. As we were taken on the roller coaster ride of their feelings and interactions I couldn't help but root for them as a couple and as individuals to find not only peace but love too with someone they could count on and would always be there for them.
Seeing their interplay with relatives and friends gave us glimpses into their lives and how much hurt and mistrust each of them carried with them. We did get closure and the happily ever after so all was not lost. The epilogue was wonderful but a few more chapters would have been nice.
I look forward to reading more books by Banerjie and once more being immersed in the culture of India.
I found this book tweeted about by @SheaReadsSA (She Reads South Asia) and even though it’s really weird for me to read Indian authors, I decided to pick this one up. What I mean by 'weird' is reading about Indian weddings and the family dramas, described in such detail when they are so commonplace around here. I mean, during the wedding season this drama continues nearly every day, bordering on tiresome and 'meh'.
It was a short, sweet read that I felt went too fast - rushing from one 'feeling' to another before I could fully comprehend or enjoy each emotion … before I knew it we had our happy ending!
Rayna, is a model and just dumped and heartbroken. Her first interaction with Neel has her nursing a terrible hangover (having drowned her sorrows, literally, the previous night!). All of it made for an interesting and funny and read with a pretend engagement thrown in and some cute and sexy moments between the protagonists.
The background of the love story is Rayna’s best friends wedding. Even though one has grown up being a part and parcel of the ‘Great Indian Wedding’ tradition, it was still an interesting read with the obnoxious family aunt thrown in for good measure. We all have one of those in our family, and I kept bursting out into laughter identifying with most of the moments.
Even though it felt 'weird' reading about someone that could just as well have been my next door neighbour or a cousin, I will admit, it did have me picking up the rest of Adite Banerjie’s books.
Trouble Has A New Name and he is called NEEL. The name evokes beautiful images of clear blue skies and bright summer days and this novel has all this and more. Mix it with RAYNA – the night and the cocktail is one heady mix of desire, bubbling with emotion. She is Ray for her friends but she is also the ‘ray’ that brightens up the dull life of the super hot Neel.
I really liked the names of both the characters, so very expressive. Add to this the stunning visual imagery that Adite has written into her book and the exquisite opulence of the wedding – just marvellous. All the natural settings described made me want to pack my bags and head to Nirvana on the Beach, Emerald Island.
The story and setting of the jet set crowd has been written beautifully by the author and while reading I felt a part of the celebrations. The personalities of all the other characters whether the silly Sid or meddling Agra Aunty felt so real. The best friends and their nuptial are indeed the best place for a hot romance.
This is the second novel by Adite Banerjie and I must applaud the writer as she has honed her writing even more in her second book. I was very happy with her first book http://inderpreetkaur.blogspot.in/201... and it made me want to read more of her work.
Trouble Has A New Name has everything a good story should, lots of sizzle, great chemistry, a strong story line and beautiful locations. She has paid attention to each one and the characters too. She has fleshed them out, making them imperfect yet loving, emotional yet strong and determined. The family crisis and the tragedy only add to the substance of the story. (No more or I shall spill all the beans; you want to read them on your own!!)
Rayna means the night but she brightened up my day and I finished the book in 2 hours eagerly turning the pages and loving her Mantras.
Pick up this book and it will melt away all your ‘troubles’!
The very last line of the novel says, 'There is no better deal than Happy Ever After'. That's my review there. Thanks for reading! No, seriously; in spite of a hundred reasons of not reading the book, including illness, my writings, family commitments, festivals, etc etc etc; I couldn't help but read it from start to finish, straight. Beautiful Rayna, an aspiring model, meets the handsome Neel, a successful hotelier, at a beautiful island in the Andaman. Having suffered heartbreaks in their previous respective relationships, the two are cautious and so not-looking for love. Destiny, however, seems to have different plans (as always). The two feel an instant chemistry as the spark fly, and in the midst of all the drama of scandals and misunderstandings, the two end up confessing their undying love for each other. One can't be blamed for thinking, all the love stories are the same. Hero meets heroine; they fall in love; throw in a villain; fights, struggle; Love wins and they live happily ever-after. Amidst all those run-of-the-mills however, there comes a book, which is so well written than you could literally feel every hesitation, every missed heartbeat, every sigh of passion, and every dilemma of the characters. Trouble has a... is one such book. This is a perfect recipe for all those who have lost faith in the institution of Love. On a rainy day, grab a big, hot cup of coffee, and curl up on the lounger with 'Trouble has a new name'. I guarantee you, by the time you finish it or by the time the rain stops (whichever comes later :) ); you'd be feeling all soft, feathery and comforty inside, ready to give Love another chance. I suggest Adite Banerjie, the author of the book, to keep the tagline as, 'come fall in love...again'. :) Thank you Adite, for writing this one!
I’m not a big fan of Harlequin books but recently when there were plenty of good reviews floating on the internet for Adite Banerjie’s ‘Trouble Has A New Name’, I decided to read it and take my chance. Also I had won the book as part of the Tornado Giveaway hosted by The Book Club.
The book started off on a good note with the female protagonist, Rayna, being dumped by her boyfriend and even though she is heartbroken and wasted by the previous night’s drinking binge, she still has a plane to catch, to reach her best friend’s wedding venue. She meets the enigmatic and immensely handsome, Neel Arora, who is also the co-owner of the resort where the wedding is being held. In Andaman Islands. Perfect setting for a romantic escapade, no?
Rayna is stepping on broken glasses all through her friend’s wedding when her ex-boyfriend appears with another girl on his arm, and Rayna’s relatives and friends from her hometown badger her with questions about her nonexistent love-life. Rayna has a brilliant idea and she asks Neel to be her fake fiancé but she cannot hide the fact that she is undoubtedly attracted to Neel.
The book is a light read and it keeps the reader’s interest riveted with all the mishaps occurring in Rayna’s life and how Neel, her knight in shining armour, saves her every time she needs a strong arm to steady her. The romance between them is crackling and Neel’s bitter past adds the much needed twist in the story.
It’s a perfect beach read- light, romantic and thoroughly enjoyable.
Rayna Dutt a sensuous yet sensitive model wakes up with a hangover, to catch a private jet for a destination wedding… and I was hooked. To add to Rayna’s feisty charm, there were RBILs (full form not to be disclosed here) dispersed all over the book making her the most appealing heroine.
Hottie Neel (love the name), high flying businessman with down to earth upbringing, responsibilities and fears comes across as a real man close to my heart. Adite Banerjee has skillfully woven the backstories of both Neel and Rayna adding depth to the story.
The setting of picturesque Nirvana resort, sandy beaches, starry nights and a destination wedding on the Emerald Island was like sprinkling of icing on a fabulous cake (read tale). The sizzling chemistry between the reluctant Neel and emotional Rayna has been handled beautifully. The characters of hilarious Agra Aunty, Sid, Karisma and Shah are bang on, adding spice to the already fabulous plot.
The book keeps one at a fast roller-coaster ride of emotions ranging from humour, naughty teasings, heart-wrenching conflicts between the two protagonists and ending with the touching surrender by Neel before true love.
From the first page onward I was pulled along like Rayna’s stuffed suitcase right into this story! An engaging read, vivid description of people, culture and places interspersed with humorous episodes bound by the wonderful chemistry between the protagonists.
Neel is most lovable as the strong and vital hero. The scene in the boat under the stars is the finest point of the story for me… “The vastness of it all makes your worries appear totally meaningless …” Absolutely true!
Rayna and Neel are believable characters, stumbling and making mistakes and learning to deal with their problems head on.
I liked the way the minor characters were portrayed, especially Agra aunty! There are many Agra aunties among us who make life miserable for everyone because of their own angst and helplessness against a suffocating social system. Adite has dealt compassionately with her character, lending her a new dimension as Rayna’s champion at the end of the book.
The plot is predictable just like any other M&B novel. However what had me hooked to the book was Adite’s mastery over the language, the vividness with which she describes the Emerald Island bringing the beauty of the Andaman live to the reader.
The characters of Neel, Rayna, Milee and Agra Aunty are well etched with all their flaws. I could easily relate to each of the characters, their thoughts, reactions….. The banter, the pain, the feelings of the protagonists Neel andRayna are well portrayed. There are also some humorous moments, twists and turns that add spice to the story.
Language is simple, lucid, engaging. The storyteller and the screenwriter in Adite have dished out a truly wonderful story in ’Trouble has a new name.’
A sweet, refreshing story churned out with ease, something one can pick up when travelling or in a mood for a light read.
A lovely story with lovable characters. The friendship between Rayna and Milee is so open and I loved their OOOs (you will have to read the book to find more). I liked Rayna’s book of Immutable Laws. Rayna’s dialogues especially when she puts her foot in her mouth, which she does all the time, are so natural. Neel is the typical Tall, Dark and Handsome and his feelings have been described making him more human than the western heroes. I loved the book and the cover is awesome.
I am reading a wonderful romance after a long time. I loved this story which is a light read.
Rayna Dutt is a supermodel but she is depressed with a recent breakup from her boyfriend Sid. Fortunately, her mood changes as she has to attend her best friend Milee's luxurious wedding function in Andaman islands. There she meets Mr. Neel Arora, who is a handsome hotelier.
As fate would have it, she meets Sid in Andamans who came to the same hotel, hand in hand with his new girlfriend, Karishma. Rayna makes everyone believe that she is engaged to Neel to avoid the embarrassment of being dumped by Sid.
But, both Neel and Rayna are getting attracted to each other day by day. Without themselves knowing about it, they get close, open their hearts to each other in very less time and fall in love.
Things aren't easy in Neel's life and he had to leave Rayna and the drama they are playing before others. What would Rayna do? She is in too much love with Neel to hate him. Can Neel forget Rayna by just moving away from her life?
Real love is not easy right? All relationships are complicated. Of course, this book just shows that to the reader. The Boy and girl will live happily ever after but they have to overcome their insecurities, believe in themselves and in each other before that.
I loved reading about this luxurious wedding, arrangements, parties, rituals and all that fun that comes with marriage. The hot romance is a plus. While the story is not new, the backdrop, the characters etc., made this a good read.
This book is a complete package of entertainment, drama, twist-turns, and steamy romance.It is a refreshing romance read, and after reading this book. You sure love Adite Banerjie books.
Rayna is sassy, confident, and fun to read. When the book introduction describes her, I look at her in awe. I had a hard time stopping myself from laughing whenever I read her and her unbreakable rules. She is the soul of the book. Also, the heartbreak she feels is too intense.
Neel is hot, handsome, every girl's crush, and a perfect match for Rayna. Neel and Rayna's bickering and attraction give us a promising sizzling romance. They make you crave for beach romance.
The cover gives you an Indian wedding vibe. The book contains wedding romance, gossiping, Indian wedding troubles, and beach’s beautiful detail.
Adite has an excellent command of writing. She hooked you in the book until you finished it off. Many scenarios were in one book. The reality of relationships that start with wedding romance was thoroughly expressed.
It's always fun to read Indian wedding romances complemented with the beaches and one day read. Read this book today if you love to read Bollywood Indian romance books.
This novel was a light hearted romantic novel with characters who were down to earth and quite imperfect like anyone of us.we could easily relate to the ups and downs of the protagonists and the termoils which are part and parcel of life and we have to face them as life throws before us.
A former journalist, Adite’s editing skills are good. And turning from hard core subjects, to heart moving romance has been quite a shift for her. But she has skilfully woven many plot now with young and happy characters and scenic narratives. The story is woven well around a friend’s wedding to be held on the lovely islands and it synchronizes with the resort’s high profile launch. For instance, the launch and the wedding and coverage of all this by a prominent TV channel has been well-written. I liked the coining of phrases, “countess of skills, stony-silence, RBIL mantras” which the protagonist Rayna has cooked up for herself for handling all situations. There is a lot of emotion, suppressed family secrets, hanging on with grit kind of situations, little misunderstanding which make way for mountains of fights, relationship snags, the Indian family above all scenario.
Fantastic.. I love Adite's writing.. it always gives me immense pleasure to pick a new book by her. Story is well developed and characters are well etched out. Its a treat for a romance reader..look forward to more from her..
Trouble Has a New Name is Adite Banerjie's second book and for this book she takes us to the pristine and heavenly Andaman Islands. The cover is lovely and instantly made me remember warm sand, soothing sound of the crashing of waves and the serenity and peace that one gets only on a beach! The cover is just lovely with extra shine given to the umbrella and the author's name. The blurb is also very alluring and instantly made me feel the need to pick this book up.
Having already read Adite's first book, The Indian Tycoon's Marriage Deal, I was pleasantly surprised to see that this book was even better than the first one. Adite has grown as a writer and it shows in her new book. The plot is pretty common but what makes it unique is the style of writing, the settings and the use of the characters to create a story that feels new and fresh. Adite has the flair for storytelling and she shows her prowess in this story where she brings together two flawed people and sketches a whole lot of scenarios that range from funny to sad to sensuous to breathtakingly intense.
I loved the way the setting was developed. The author is successful in making the reader visualize the beauty of Andaman even if he or she hasn't been there. I enjoyed revisiting the place and reliving the fun I had had when I had gone there for vacation. Now I am thinking maybe I should go visit again and see if I can find my own Emerald Island! :)
The characterization is expertly done and I could connect with both Rayna and Neel. The banter between these two is entertaining and the shift from the joyous and light bickering to the intense and extremely hot romance is fluidly done. I loved each and every minute of the story especially Rayna's self made rules which were hilarious and too cute. :)
All in all, a great holiday read and also a beach read, you will love this romance. I give Trouble Has a New Name 4.5 out of 5 and recommend this book to all romance lovers. Sunny sands, lovely beaches and a romance that will stop your breath, go read the book!
I received the book from the author and the publishers, Harlequin India and I am very thankful to them. The above review is my honest and unbiased opinion and in no way influenced.
I am going to start this review with the last line of this book that I wholly endorse.
“And the best rule of them all. Rule #3: There is no better deal than Happily Ever After!”
‘Trouble has a new name’ is the love story of Rayna and Neel (I so love their names!) set in the beautiful islands of Andaman (Adite I know where my next holiday location will be thanks to you :)).
Rayna is hungover, bitter, lovesick (reads sick of love) and she is also late for her best friend’s wedding in Andaman. Hurrying over to the chartered plane full of guests, Rayna has a tussle with Neel Arora, the handsome and dimpled greek god of a hotelier whose resort is hosting the wedding. After some hot words, stomach lurching and some spilled juice, Neel and Rayna are ready to kill each other though each was aware of the sizzlingly hot chemistry that they share.
At the resort, Neel is forced to share a luxury villa with Rayna, as everything else is booked. (Sometimes I wish I had an author like this one to arrange things nicely for me.)
Rayna’s boyfriend who had broken up with her over a SMS arrives for the wedding along with a hot-shop item girl for whom he had thrown her over. Awkward and embarrassed Rayna requests Neel to help her out and to pose as her fiancee for the duration of the wedding. Neel agrees though not immediately and roller coaster ride of a romance begins.
What sets this plot apart from the usual template of mills and boons stories is the amount of space Adite reserves for character development and background. Neel is a greek god of a hero but he has battle scars of his own.
Rayna’s vulnerability comes out when we learn about her parent’s death and her subsequent estrangement from her brother and sister-in-law. What happens when these two vulnerable people come together? Can they rise above their inhibitions, fears and insecurities and love each other? You will need to find out by reading the book.
Plus Points: Lovely plot, strong characters, smooth flowing lucid tale and good character development. I also loved Rayna’s list of rules and murphy’s laws that rings true for all in love.
Minus Points: Rayna seems to fall into Neel’s arms very fast given the fact that she has just been dumped by Sid. This was the only place where I felt that the author has faltered.
She... She is Rayna Dutt. A Supermodel, dusky beauty and dumped.... Dumped? Now that is what caught my attention the moment I started reading this book by Adite Banerjie. Instead of taking a bottle of depression pills, Rayna is all fired up to face the world.. It is in this mood, she rushes to her friend's wedding and on her way meets....
He.... Neel Arora. A handsome hotelier in an exotic location. Neel is already fed up with Rayna.She is late for the scheduled flight, but seeing her arrive aristocratically- in her pink flip flops, makes him do a double take...
The Bonding .... Lord Kama worked overtime and made Rayna and Neel end up in one room in the exotic resort.Can you imagine going to a hotel room alone and in the backyard, an Adonis, comes out of the swimming pool, with a gleaming, semi-naked torso? I tell you, some gals have all the luck! And to rub salt in the wound, they ended up sharing the room because the hotel was full. Hummmph!
The Backstory.... Rayna was already nursing a broken heart. The wedding was supposed to be a diversion, a sanctuary to mend her broken heart. She had been dumped by a lecher named Sid Verma. He was such a cad that he did not have the guts to confront her and tell it on her face. Rather, he chooses a coward's way out by sending an SMS. Who does that? *jaw dropping. So when she meets Neel, she was not in a very good zone. Added to that Sid arrives at the wedding with a new girlfriend in tow.
Rayna knew one thing.. She could not look weak in front of him. She asks Neel to pose as her fiance. He refuses and then much to her amazement, he comes to her rescue when she needs him the most. (Atta boy!!) So, now that her face is saved - she decides to fall in love with Neel !...... Only to see him leaving her too....
My review originally posted on Romancing-the-Book.com is shown below:
Banerjie was a new to me author when I read her debut novel, The Indian Tycoon's Marriage Deal. I jumped at the chance to read her second book, Trouble Has a New Name, and it didn't disappoint. It was a quick read which again had the story set in India and I was immediately immersed in the culture and the locations especially with the use of Indian words and explanations and the vivid descriptions that gave me breathtaking views.
Nirvana on the Beach, the name of the resort that Neel is a co-owner in, has everything you could want both inside and out. Chris, one of his partners, was set to marry Milee there, who happened to be Rayna's best friend. From the minute Rayna and Neel met on the way to the wedding there were sparks flying and not all were happy ones! They seemed to rub each other the wrong way while in reality they both had a lot of baggage they were dealing with from their pasts and previous relationships and neither was good at trusting, showing their feelings or finding love. Watching them lower their barriers and then raise them again was heartbreaking because when they let the other in they were good for each other and it made them individually believe good things could happen to them. As we were taken on the roller coaster ride of their feelings and interactions I couldn't help but root for them as a couple and as individuals to find not only peace but love too with someone they could count on and would always be there for them. Seeing their interplay with relatives and friends gave us glimpses into their lives and how much hurt and mistrust each of them carried with them. We did get closure and the happily ever after so all was not lost. The epilogue was wonderful but a few more chapters would have been nice.
I look forward to reading more books by Banerjie and once more being immersed in the culture of India.
Dumping someone over a text message? I was already rooting for our sensitive yet gutsy heroine Rayna Dutt and planning to kill Sid on the first page. Adite Banerjie has a knack of doing this very well – making a reader build relationships with the characters from the very beginning. All the characters feel so real, so believable with some gray shades apparent in them. Life-like. Whether it be gutsy-yet-an-emotional-wreck Rayna, Kind-yet-commitment-phobic Neel or the infuriating-yet-sweet Agra Aunty! Would love to hear the story behind AA’s name, Adite!
Emerald Island took my breath away. So did the villas accompanying the Nirvana. The star-spangled sky and the silvery beaches, the orchids colouring up the white-and-gold wedding decor, the author has made the Andaman Islands come real in front of me. And to think she has never visited the island herself! She’s a hell of a researcher and a magician with her words.
The thing that moved me most about the book though were the emotions packed in 187 pages. Never a dull moment in this book. Right from page 1 where Rayna has to run to catch her flight till the epilogue (especially the epilogue :D), I have been on a roller coaster ride of emotions. Sometimes laughing at the verbal sparring between Rayna and Neel, sometimes rolling on the floor at Agra aunty’s antics, sometimes with butterflies in my stomach as Neel touches Rayna so and sometimes my heart breaking along with Rayna’s, this book made me live a thousand emotions in a span of 4 hours. Yes, that’s how long it took me to read it from cover-to-cover!
OMG, isn't that cutest Indian/Bollywood-type story ever! As a Desi myself, I loved all the references to the big fat Indian wedding, the family dynamics, and of course the delicious hero! It's a breeze to read, lovely story with a light vibe and that feel-good factor throughout. Perfect beach escapism!