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Love Beyond Reasonable Doubt: A Novel
In this second-chance workplace romance, two lawyers find themselves working in the same office after a steamy vacation fling a year and a half ago, from the author of Can't Help Faking in Love
Naina Shetty is a proud workaholic, and she is gunning for a promotion at her law firm. No distractions will get in her way this time, not even the bad breakup that happened over a year ago. She brushed off her pain with a long vacation and a no-strings-attached fling with a handsome stranger, but now Naina is back to business.
Unlucky-in-love Tejas Rajput hasn’t stopped thinking about the brown-eyed beauty he met on the beaches of Goa two summers ago. He’d been looking for a rebound to get over his ex—which is why he’d agreed to keep things strictly casual, use fake last names, and respond to all personal questions with “wrong answers only.” But he didn’t think he’d fall for her, hard, only for her to get on a plane and leave.
When they cross paths again—this time working at the same office—Naina is adamant that her no-relationships policy won’t change, especially not for Tejas, whose disarming smile and easygoing charm could spell trouble. Her career will always come first.
But as they team up for a case that could make or break their firm’s reputation, they discover that there’s something more than just sparks between them—and it might turn out to be true love.
Naina Shetty is a proud workaholic, and she is gunning for a promotion at her law firm. No distractions will get in her way this time, not even the bad breakup that happened over a year ago. She brushed off her pain with a long vacation and a no-strings-attached fling with a handsome stranger, but now Naina is back to business.
Unlucky-in-love Tejas Rajput hasn’t stopped thinking about the brown-eyed beauty he met on the beaches of Goa two summers ago. He’d been looking for a rebound to get over his ex—which is why he’d agreed to keep things strictly casual, use fake last names, and respond to all personal questions with “wrong answers only.” But he didn’t think he’d fall for her, hard, only for her to get on a plane and leave.
When they cross paths again—this time working at the same office—Naina is adamant that her no-relationships policy won’t change, especially not for Tejas, whose disarming smile and easygoing charm could spell trouble. Her career will always come first.
But as they team up for a case that could make or break their firm’s reputation, they discover that there’s something more than just sparks between them—and it might turn out to be true love.
304 pages, Paperback
Published May 12, 2026
About the author
Swati Hegde
4 books291 followersSwati Hegde is the author of Can’t Help Faking in Love and Match Me If You Can. She is also a freelance editor, mindset coach, and self-proclaimed coffee shop enthusiast who lives in Bangalore, India, and can often be found at the nearest café with a hot mug of tea or singing her favorite songs off-key at karaoke night. She looks forward to a long career bringing Indian stories and voices to light.
Swati is represented by Rachel Beck at Liza Dawson Associates. Her romance novels Match Me If You Can and Can't Help Faking in Love are out now from Penguin Random House, with forthcoming books As Long As You Loathe Me releasing on March 31 and Love Beyond Reasonable Doubt slated for May 12.
Find her on Instagram @SwatiHegdeAuthor.
Swati is represented by Rachel Beck at Liza Dawson Associates. Her romance novels Match Me If You Can and Can't Help Faking in Love are out now from Penguin Random House, with forthcoming books As Long As You Loathe Me releasing on March 31 and Love Beyond Reasonable Doubt slated for May 12.
Find her on Instagram @SwatiHegdeAuthor.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews
May 1, 2026
Give me a pathetic, down-bad, bisexual MMC and i’m guaranteed to be a little feral.
This was a fun read. I’m actually not a huge second-chance girlie (gasp! i know), mostly my adhd doesn’t always love dual timeline. HOWEVER, this dual timeline worked. Every shift had me on pins and needles needed to know what the past held!
This is steamy, banter-filled, the concept is fun and definitely adds to the heat! PLUS THE MYSTERY of the murder trial was SO FUN!
| IG | TikTok |
Thank you Ballantine for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
This was a fun read. I’m actually not a huge second-chance girlie (gasp! i know), mostly my adhd doesn’t always love dual timeline. HOWEVER, this dual timeline worked. Every shift had me on pins and needles needed to know what the past held!
This is steamy, banter-filled, the concept is fun and definitely adds to the heat! PLUS THE MYSTERY of the murder trial was SO FUN!
| IG | TikTok |
Thank you Ballantine for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
April 29, 2026
book 8 of my 24hr arc readathon!
this book literally had all the tropes that i liked: second chance, workplace romance, forced proximity.. so like i was VERY excited to get into; however, i just didn't really care about either of the characters until after the half way mark. also there was kinda a lot going on with the legal mystery and it just felt like a lot is happening at the same time?? full rtc!
⤷ thank you to netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶˗ˋ୨♡୧ˊ˗︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶
₊˚⊹♡ pre-read ♡⊹˚₊ ↴
hehe i got the arc!! love the tropes! i'm genuinely so excited to pick this up
this book literally had all the tropes that i liked: second chance, workplace romance, forced proximity.. so like i was VERY excited to get into; however, i just didn't really care about either of the characters until after the half way mark. also there was kinda a lot going on with the legal mystery and it just felt like a lot is happening at the same time?? full rtc!
⤷ thank you to netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶˗ˋ୨♡୧ˊ˗︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶
₊˚⊹♡ pre-read ♡⊹˚₊ ↴
hehe i got the arc!! love the tropes! i'm genuinely so excited to pick this up
May 20, 2026
3.75/5
tears run down my eye, just one, consistently, one tear in the corner of an eye, an eye that was shining with a single tear during every conversation
having read as many romances as i have, i can pretty much be down with anything. the one thing i'm really not a fan of is romantic suspense, today we learned that this dislike also lends itself to romances with a court case/murder mystery plot happening simultaneously. naina and tejas had a lovely second chance romance, tejas was obsessed from the moment they meant and all throughout their separation so i had no complaints. naina struggled with commitment/love after her parents divorce and her fiancé cheating on her but tejas' constant support brought her out of her shell and it was so, so sweet!
spending time with these characters on a vacation in goa, and in their real day to day lives in bangalore, allowed for me to truly see the connection between these characters. the balance of past to present was done so well and i only wish we could've spent more time healing with naina and less time lawyering. that doesn't really make sense but i just wanted the time away from work to focus more on these two as a couple and less on the case at hand. i am 100% certain this is a very specific problem to me, i think that whole plot line is written perfectly fine, but i am just so over mysteries and i don't care to read them. it was only natural to make this a central plot line because of how important naina's job is to her, but i couldn't get myself invested.
there was so much more than just the romantic connection between the couple in this book, which i loved. we had tejas and his cat, a secret office romance that was very much giving rivals to lovers and secret relationship (i would read this book in a heartbeat), and the beautiful friendship between naina and her father. the story is so fulfilling, i highly recommend, even if the court case didn't do it for me!
*thank you netgalley and ballantine for the copy!*
tears run down my eye, just one, consistently, one tear in the corner of an eye, an eye that was shining with a single tear during every conversation
having read as many romances as i have, i can pretty much be down with anything. the one thing i'm really not a fan of is romantic suspense, today we learned that this dislike also lends itself to romances with a court case/murder mystery plot happening simultaneously. naina and tejas had a lovely second chance romance, tejas was obsessed from the moment they meant and all throughout their separation so i had no complaints. naina struggled with commitment/love after her parents divorce and her fiancé cheating on her but tejas' constant support brought her out of her shell and it was so, so sweet!
spending time with these characters on a vacation in goa, and in their real day to day lives in bangalore, allowed for me to truly see the connection between these characters. the balance of past to present was done so well and i only wish we could've spent more time healing with naina and less time lawyering. that doesn't really make sense but i just wanted the time away from work to focus more on these two as a couple and less on the case at hand. i am 100% certain this is a very specific problem to me, i think that whole plot line is written perfectly fine, but i am just so over mysteries and i don't care to read them. it was only natural to make this a central plot line because of how important naina's job is to her, but i couldn't get myself invested.
there was so much more than just the romantic connection between the couple in this book, which i loved. we had tejas and his cat, a secret office romance that was very much giving rivals to lovers and secret relationship (i would read this book in a heartbeat), and the beautiful friendship between naina and her father. the story is so fulfilling, i highly recommend, even if the court case didn't do it for me!
*thank you netgalley and ballantine for the copy!*
2026
February 5, 2026Valentine's Day TBR
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Dell
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Dell
Did Not Finish
May 29, 2026I need to find a way to get an identifiable flag/notice for when a book is third person because truly, they are a drag to get through. I went into this book super excited because my ancestry is Indian but looking past that, I didn't really enjoy. I give every book at least 33% before deciding to DNF. At that point in this book, I did not care for the main characters. I enjoyed the dual timeline since it is a second chance romance. However, the now timeline has a mystery/murder aspect that didn't intrigue me and the past timeline of their romance gave me no chemistry or banter.
Thank you NetGalley and Ballatine for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you NetGalley and Ballatine for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
May 22, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
⋆˙⟡ tropes ⟡˙⋆
👔 workplace romance
👠 second chance
💼 two lawyers
💻 forced proximity
🌴 past vacation fling
🗓️ dual timeline
⋆˙⟡ thoughts ⟡˙⋆
this has all the tropes i love, second chance? workplace? forced proximity? 🙂↕️ i will say with the added legal mystery element, it felt like a lot was going on especially because it’s a dual timeline with their past vacation fling with the present of them working together. now, i love me a romantic mystery moment but this one didn’t have me hooked. overall, it was a good read, but i didn’t fall in love with it sadly.
alsoooo i ended up switching to the audio about 10% in which i would definitely recommend. the narrators did a phenomenal job!!!!
⋆˙⟡ synopsis ⟡˙⋆
naina is a workaholic working towards a promotion at her law firm allowing no distractions, including the bad breakup she went through a year ago. she brushed that pain off with a no strings attached vacation fling with a stranger. now that stranger, tejas hasn’t stopped thinking about her and their vacation fling. when they cross paths again (working at the SAME office), she is adamant that her no relationship policy won’t change… until they are teamed up for a case that could make or break the firm…
⋆˙⟡ tropes ⟡˙⋆
👔 workplace romance
👠 second chance
💼 two lawyers
💻 forced proximity
🌴 past vacation fling
🗓️ dual timeline
⋆˙⟡ thoughts ⟡˙⋆
this has all the tropes i love, second chance? workplace? forced proximity? 🙂↕️ i will say with the added legal mystery element, it felt like a lot was going on especially because it’s a dual timeline with their past vacation fling with the present of them working together. now, i love me a romantic mystery moment but this one didn’t have me hooked. overall, it was a good read, but i didn’t fall in love with it sadly.
alsoooo i ended up switching to the audio about 10% in which i would definitely recommend. the narrators did a phenomenal job!!!!
⋆˙⟡ synopsis ⟡˙⋆
naina is a workaholic working towards a promotion at her law firm allowing no distractions, including the bad breakup she went through a year ago. she brushed that pain off with a no strings attached vacation fling with a stranger. now that stranger, tejas hasn’t stopped thinking about her and their vacation fling. when they cross paths again (working at the SAME office), she is adamant that her no relationship policy won’t change… until they are teamed up for a case that could make or break the firm…
May 17, 2026
What to expect: second chance romance, murder trial subplot, LGBTQ+ rep
After a post heartbreak summer fling in Goa, Naina and Tejas find themselves working at the same law firm in Bangalore on the same murder trial. As they work their case, their shared past in Goa and feelings for each other resurface, complicating their working relationship.
Overall this was a great, entertaining read. The murder trial added in an interesting element to their romance and provided insight into the Indian courts system and criticisms of the system. There are multiple LGBTQ+ characters represented with thoughtful backstories that highlighted prejudices people in the community still face.
Thank you NetGalley for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
After a post heartbreak summer fling in Goa, Naina and Tejas find themselves working at the same law firm in Bangalore on the same murder trial. As they work their case, their shared past in Goa and feelings for each other resurface, complicating their working relationship.
Overall this was a great, entertaining read. The murder trial added in an interesting element to their romance and provided insight into the Indian courts system and criticisms of the system. There are multiple LGBTQ+ characters represented with thoughtful backstories that highlighted prejudices people in the community still face.
Thank you NetGalley for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 22, 2026
maybe i should start reading more lawyer romances??? i’m 100% considering this a cozy mystery for my punch card
July 6, 2026
A fun read!! I loved the dual timeline to their past fling. Made for a fast paced, addicting story. Not a huge second chance romance lover, but this was so perfect with the steam and banter!! So much tension!! I lived for their flashbacks and checking off the items on the list. I also enjoyed the murder trial mystery. It added a layer of entertainment. Tejas was the man, I was even falling for him!!!!
March 27, 2026
Fun and fast-paced. Male MC is a perfect cinnamon roll, so he’s completely unrealistic. Female MC is less frustrating than she could be, but the driven, emotionally messy thing is hard to read. The Goa flashbacks balanced all of that out though! like all the parts about India, and I wanted even more. The lawyer/detective bits were fine and served as the group project they needed to reconnect in the real world.
eArc from NetGalley
eArc from NetGalley
May 12, 2026
Thank you to DELL for the ARC of Love Beyond Reasonable Doubt! I genuinely enjoyed this book! A love story taking place in India! Super cute! First off Naina and Tejas meet in Goa when they’re both on vacation trying to get over their exes. What goes from a hookup to undeniable love is when these two realize they feel more than lust for one another. But the trip ends on a sour note and it isn’t till 18 months later when Tejas takes a job at Naina’s law firm that sparks fly again. Sparks and also maybe some tension lol!
I genuinely enjoyed the chemistry between these two! I also enjoyed the side characters too! The plot with them solving the case they were working on together was also a really compelling story! I now need an Anil and Dhanush story!
I genuinely enjoyed the chemistry between these two! I also enjoyed the side characters too! The plot with them solving the case they were working on together was also a really compelling story! I now need an Anil and Dhanush story!
June 8, 2026
Solid second chance workplace romance completely set in modern day India. This story was so refreshing because, FINALLY, India is set in the light it should be viewed. It is a growing and modern society with cities, karaoke, clubs, and yes, ongoing issues with misogyny and the patriarchy. (But thats’s everywhere) I loved the setting of Bangalore, India which is in South India and I identified with the food and culture SO MUCH. I also loved how the author did dual timelines and brought the reader back to the fateful encounter in Goa between Naina and Tejas. Both of them met after being rejected by their exes and they fell into each so quickly that it was clearly lust at first sight. However, it was an awakening for both of them that ended sadly after two weeks. Eighteen months later they meet at Naina’s job and they have to work together to solve a murder and help free an innocent woman. I loved the queer love mentioned here as India still doesn’t allow gay marriage and only allowed “homosexual acts” in 2018. All people are worthy of love. This story is special as it reaches across all cultures and countries with a story that is timeless. Love may work out the second time around as people change and can grow.
I recommend this for people who enjoy second chance romance, found family, workplace romance but it’s not a power dynamic issue, mystery romances, and checklists.
I got this book as an ARC from the publisher.
I recommend this for people who enjoy second chance romance, found family, workplace romance but it’s not a power dynamic issue, mystery romances, and checklists.
I got this book as an ARC from the publisher.
April 28, 2026
I was excited about this one. It’s not very often you get a book with lawyers so when I saw it, I knew I had to read it. In the end, it was OK I’m gonna give it a 3.5 but this one I’m not gonna round up and it specifically because of when it came to the dual timeline I just didn’t think this one was as great as some of the other books that I’ve read. While dual timeline can definitely add to the book for me. It needs to be done super well for me to like it and I think this was just OK. I did like the writing physicall.y. It was easy for me to read when I was in the chapters. I did like the plot of the book of them working together to exonerate their client and the second chance romance. I liked Naina overall as the FMC I thought she was a strong character. But even though I liked the characters, the pacing of the book between the two timelines, I did kind of have an issue with it as I felt like one was slower than the other. I really preferred the Now timeline to the past timeline. I definitely think it’s worth giving a read.
Thank you to Ballantine|Dell for the complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you to Ballantine|Dell for the complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 27, 2026
This book was challenging for me to get through. About 1/3 of the way in I finally felt like I knew enough to be drawn in, but had this not been an ARC I would’ve been tempted to DNF. This was the first novel I’ve read with all characters from India, and I struggled with the names, but eventually did get used to them. I did really enjoy the timeline switches through the book - I felt it added to the depth of the characters of the story and it was easy to transition back and forth between past and present. The love story overall was cute, though I did feel like the present decision to fall for him again was sudden it made sense. The case was an interesting add to the story. I’m an attorney so while some of it wasn’t accurate and bothered me, I’m willing to put that aside and enjoy the fictional court drama for the story.
April 18, 2026
I wish I loved this one, because the premise really grabbed me, but it just didn’t work for me.
My big issues:
- I didn’t really understand why Naina had such a big personality shift after Goa?
- I felt like there was too much time spent on the actual nuances of the case they were working on; it started to bog down the story when truly I just wanted the romance!
- It never felt clear to me why Naina continued to resist a relationship with Tejas (especially when factors like whether or not she would get a promotion didn’t really end up coming into play).
I really liked the concept but execution-wise this was a miss for me sadly! Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for this eARC!
My big issues:
- I didn’t really understand why Naina had such a big personality shift after Goa?
- I felt like there was too much time spent on the actual nuances of the case they were working on; it started to bog down the story when truly I just wanted the romance!
- It never felt clear to me why Naina continued to resist a relationship with Tejas (especially when factors like whether or not she would get a promotion didn’t really end up coming into play).
I really liked the concept but execution-wise this was a miss for me sadly! Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for this eARC!
May 9, 2026
Pretty ok read. This felt more like a murder mystery with a romance subplot than a full fledged romance book. It was really nice seeing how the FMC and MMC met in the flashbacks. To me, those were where we got the meat of the romance, even if it did feel a little insta-lovey. The present day chapters just didn’t land as well for me. If you like a black cat gf/golden retriever bf, then this is the read for you.
May 21, 2026
Maybe a 3.25? I don’t like when there’s truly no reason for the main couple to not actually be together in a second chance book. Tejas the soft hearted, endearing, hot little sweetheart wasn’t immediately going to make any woman kick down her walls?? Okay
Want to Read
June 18, 2026I must request this at the library once I am caught up on the upcoming wave of 7 things in transit.
Want to Read
November 1, 2025Yall Swati is so cool
June 2, 2026
This was a good story! I thought the idea of a workplace romance where the flashbacks were on vacation was a fun way to show a lot of the characters personalities and create such sweet moments. Naina and Tejas have such great chemistry, banter, and a great bond. I enjoyed seeing their relationship journey unfold in an unusual way from a fast vacation fling with no personal facts to seeing the realest versions of themselves. I also loved every single song choice and thought that the karaoke references were such a fun ongoing inclusion. 3.5 stars.
May 29, 2026
Vikas Adam's narration never ceases to amaze me
May 17, 2026
4 stars
Such an entertaining book! I love a second chance romance so much and while I loved seeing their first chance, I think it made a lot of sense for them to be apart for a while after. They both just got out of incredibly serious relationships mere weeks ago? They needed to not jump into another LTR. I do think they were possibly meaner to each other once they reunited than the ending of the first chance really should've made them. It was quite agreed upon and discussed a lot that this was only for the 2 weeks.
I did really enjoy the light mystery aspect of the murder so this was almost borderline a cozy mystery romance which was fun. Overall a good time and I love reading this author's work!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC!
Such an entertaining book! I love a second chance romance so much and while I loved seeing their first chance, I think it made a lot of sense for them to be apart for a while after. They both just got out of incredibly serious relationships mere weeks ago? They needed to not jump into another LTR. I do think they were possibly meaner to each other once they reunited than the ending of the first chance really should've made them. It was quite agreed upon and discussed a lot that this was only for the 2 weeks.
I did really enjoy the light mystery aspect of the murder so this was almost borderline a cozy mystery romance which was fun. Overall a good time and I love reading this author's work!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book really said “your past will find you… in heels, holding a legal brief, and absolutely wrecking your emotional boundaries,” and honestly I was not prepared for that level of personal attack.
Swati Hegde’s Love Beyond Reasonable Doubt completely pulled me into its orbit, and I’m still not convinced I’ve recovered. Published by Ballantine | Dell—thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the gifted ARC.
At its core, this is a second-chance romance—but not the easy kind. This is the messy, complicated, “we met at the wrong time but felt too right to forget” kind. Naina Shetty is a powerhouse—brilliant, driven, and deeply committed to her career after a breakup that taught her love is more liability than reward. She’s the kind of heroine who builds her life with intention… even if that means locking certain doors behind her.
And then Tejas Rajput walks back in like a memory she never properly filed away.
Their Goa fling? Pure lightning. No last names, no expectations, just sun-soaked days, reckless nights, and that dangerous kind of connection that feels like it could change everything if you let it. But what happens in Goa definitely does not stay in Goa—because now they’re coworkers, thrown together on a high-stakes case that forces proximity, tension, and way too many moments of “don’t look at him like that.”
The emotional push and pull here? Immaculate chaos. Naina’s resistance isn’t frustrating—it’s understandable. She’s protecting herself the only way she knows how, even when it costs her something real. And Tejas? Soft, steady, quietly relentless Tejas… the kind of man who doesn’t bulldoze her walls but stands there long enough that she starts questioning why they’re still up.
“I didn’t expect forever. I just didn’t expect you to matter this much.”
That line didn’t just hit—it lingered. Like a truth you weren’t ready to admit out loud.
What I loved most is how layered this felt. The dual timeline gives you the full emotional blueprint—who they were in Goa versus who they’ve become in the real world—and it makes every interaction sharper, heavier, more meaningful. You feel the shift. You feel what’s been lost… and what might still be there.
And then there’s the legal storyline, which honestly had no business being this engaging. The murder trial subplot adds stakes beyond the romance, grounding the story in something tangible while mirroring the central theme: truth isn’t always clean, and neither is love. Watching Naina and Tejas work together—challenging each other, respecting each other, slowly remembering why they worked in the first place—was just as compelling as the romance itself.
The side characters deserve their moment too, because they bring warmth, humor, and that lived-in feeling that makes the world feel real. Her work bestie? Absolute scene-stealer. Her father? A quiet emotional anchor that added depth to Naina in a way I didn’t expect but deeply appreciated.
This is for the readers who love ambitious women who refuse to shrink themselves for love, for those who crave emotionally intelligent men who show up instead of showing off, and for anyone who believes timing can ruin something… until it doesn’t.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Did I want a little more tension in places? Maybe. But did this still wrap itself around my heart in that soft, persistent way that lingers after the last page? Absolutely.
So tell me—are you the type to risk it all for a love that comes back around… or are you closing the case before it can reopen old wounds?
#LoveBeyondReasonableDoubt #SwatiHegde #NetGalley #RomanceReads #SecondChanceRomance #WorkplaceRomance #SlowBurnRomance #DesiRomance #Bookstagram #ARCReview #WomensFiction #RomanceBooks #2026Reads #CoffeeAndBooks #LegalRomance #ContemporaryRomance
Swati Hegde’s Love Beyond Reasonable Doubt completely pulled me into its orbit, and I’m still not convinced I’ve recovered. Published by Ballantine | Dell—thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the gifted ARC.
At its core, this is a second-chance romance—but not the easy kind. This is the messy, complicated, “we met at the wrong time but felt too right to forget” kind. Naina Shetty is a powerhouse—brilliant, driven, and deeply committed to her career after a breakup that taught her love is more liability than reward. She’s the kind of heroine who builds her life with intention… even if that means locking certain doors behind her.
And then Tejas Rajput walks back in like a memory she never properly filed away.
Their Goa fling? Pure lightning. No last names, no expectations, just sun-soaked days, reckless nights, and that dangerous kind of connection that feels like it could change everything if you let it. But what happens in Goa definitely does not stay in Goa—because now they’re coworkers, thrown together on a high-stakes case that forces proximity, tension, and way too many moments of “don’t look at him like that.”
The emotional push and pull here? Immaculate chaos. Naina’s resistance isn’t frustrating—it’s understandable. She’s protecting herself the only way she knows how, even when it costs her something real. And Tejas? Soft, steady, quietly relentless Tejas… the kind of man who doesn’t bulldoze her walls but stands there long enough that she starts questioning why they’re still up.
“I didn’t expect forever. I just didn’t expect you to matter this much.”
That line didn’t just hit—it lingered. Like a truth you weren’t ready to admit out loud.
What I loved most is how layered this felt. The dual timeline gives you the full emotional blueprint—who they were in Goa versus who they’ve become in the real world—and it makes every interaction sharper, heavier, more meaningful. You feel the shift. You feel what’s been lost… and what might still be there.
And then there’s the legal storyline, which honestly had no business being this engaging. The murder trial subplot adds stakes beyond the romance, grounding the story in something tangible while mirroring the central theme: truth isn’t always clean, and neither is love. Watching Naina and Tejas work together—challenging each other, respecting each other, slowly remembering why they worked in the first place—was just as compelling as the romance itself.
The side characters deserve their moment too, because they bring warmth, humor, and that lived-in feeling that makes the world feel real. Her work bestie? Absolute scene-stealer. Her father? A quiet emotional anchor that added depth to Naina in a way I didn’t expect but deeply appreciated.
This is for the readers who love ambitious women who refuse to shrink themselves for love, for those who crave emotionally intelligent men who show up instead of showing off, and for anyone who believes timing can ruin something… until it doesn’t.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Did I want a little more tension in places? Maybe. But did this still wrap itself around my heart in that soft, persistent way that lingers after the last page? Absolutely.
So tell me—are you the type to risk it all for a love that comes back around… or are you closing the case before it can reopen old wounds?
#LoveBeyondReasonableDoubt #SwatiHegde #NetGalley #RomanceReads #SecondChanceRomance #WorkplaceRomance #SlowBurnRomance #DesiRomance #Bookstagram #ARCReview #WomensFiction #RomanceBooks #2026Reads #CoffeeAndBooks #LegalRomance #ContemporaryRomance
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Dell Romance for letting me read and review this book early. All thoughts are my own!!
I’ve read two other books by Swati Hegde and loved them both, so I was bummed that this one didn’t work for me.
Love Beyond Reasonable Doubt is a second chance romance between Naina and Tejas who spent two weeks together 18 months ago and now work together at the same law firm. They’re assigned the same case, and they rekindle their connection from their trip.
This book is dual timeline, and it’s roughly 300 pages. With second chance dual timelines, the author has to write two separate romantic relationships: the first time they were together and their second chance. I really struggled to believe that their second chance connection was enough for them to get back together. The time they spent together in Goa was really expanded on, but due to their “wrong answers only” decision they barely knew anything real about each other. Then, during their present day interactions, so much of their time was spent focused on their case that we weren’t getting enough of their romantic relationship for me to think they should end up together. With the book being only around 300 pages, I felt like there wasn’t enough time to fully flesh out a lot of aspects of this book, including their second chance at a relationship.
I really felt like they needed to have more conversations and learn more about each other to build an emotional connection instead of constantly having sex. And don’t get me wrong, I’m all for sex being a part of relationships and romance books. This is not a purity culture or a sex shaming critique!! But at 80%, I still didn’t feel like Naina actually cared about Tejas beyond wanting to have sex. They still barely knew each other at this point. I needed there to be more of an emotional connection for me to think that they’re actually in love with each other.
There were a few aspects to this story that were introduced in a way that makes you think they’re going to be big parts of the book, just for it to go unresolved.
The sexism and misogyny in their workplace is brought up a lot, but it never really progresses beyond showing it to us. There’s no resolution to that aspect of the story, and Naina just has to deal with it forever, I guess. Tejas sees it and acknowledges it, but he doesn’t do anything about it. He’s buddies with Dhanush, the boss’s nephew, knowing that Dhanush is awful to his co-workers. It made me like Tejas less, and Dhanush didn’t have enough of a change in character for me to like him towards the end.
The promotion looms over the beginning of the story in a way that makes the reader think it’ll be a big part of the plot, just for the results to not be mentioned until the epilogue. I was also hoping there would be actual stakes around the fact that they kissed at work. They mention a security camera, but then nothing ever comes of it. Naina kept putting up a boundary between them while they were at work, just for it to not really be a big deal.
Finally, I know that Naina says herself that she doesn’t have any friends outside of Anil, but I really wish there was another woman in her life to support her. The only other women she interacts with in this book are her client and some witnesses. She doesn’t even interact with her mother on page, despite saying she still has a good relationship with her after her parents divorced. It really isolated her through this book, and I wish that wasn’t the case. Even the other friends from their time in Goa never come back into the story, and it feels like a missed opportunity for her to build more community.
I’m still interested in reading more from this author, as I’ve read and loved some of their other work, but this book was a big miss for me.
I’ve read two other books by Swati Hegde and loved them both, so I was bummed that this one didn’t work for me.
Love Beyond Reasonable Doubt is a second chance romance between Naina and Tejas who spent two weeks together 18 months ago and now work together at the same law firm. They’re assigned the same case, and they rekindle their connection from their trip.
This book is dual timeline, and it’s roughly 300 pages. With second chance dual timelines, the author has to write two separate romantic relationships: the first time they were together and their second chance. I really struggled to believe that their second chance connection was enough for them to get back together. The time they spent together in Goa was really expanded on, but due to their “wrong answers only” decision they barely knew anything real about each other. Then, during their present day interactions, so much of their time was spent focused on their case that we weren’t getting enough of their romantic relationship for me to think they should end up together. With the book being only around 300 pages, I felt like there wasn’t enough time to fully flesh out a lot of aspects of this book, including their second chance at a relationship.
I really felt like they needed to have more conversations and learn more about each other to build an emotional connection instead of constantly having sex. And don’t get me wrong, I’m all for sex being a part of relationships and romance books. This is not a purity culture or a sex shaming critique!! But at 80%, I still didn’t feel like Naina actually cared about Tejas beyond wanting to have sex. They still barely knew each other at this point. I needed there to be more of an emotional connection for me to think that they’re actually in love with each other.
There were a few aspects to this story that were introduced in a way that makes you think they’re going to be big parts of the book, just for it to go unresolved.
The sexism and misogyny in their workplace is brought up a lot, but it never really progresses beyond showing it to us. There’s no resolution to that aspect of the story, and Naina just has to deal with it forever, I guess. Tejas sees it and acknowledges it, but he doesn’t do anything about it. He’s buddies with Dhanush, the boss’s nephew, knowing that Dhanush is awful to his co-workers. It made me like Tejas less, and Dhanush didn’t have enough of a change in character for me to like him towards the end.
The promotion looms over the beginning of the story in a way that makes the reader think it’ll be a big part of the plot, just for the results to not be mentioned until the epilogue. I was also hoping there would be actual stakes around the fact that they kissed at work. They mention a security camera, but then nothing ever comes of it. Naina kept putting up a boundary between them while they were at work, just for it to not really be a big deal.
Finally, I know that Naina says herself that she doesn’t have any friends outside of Anil, but I really wish there was another woman in her life to support her. The only other women she interacts with in this book are her client and some witnesses. She doesn’t even interact with her mother on page, despite saying she still has a good relationship with her after her parents divorced. It really isolated her through this book, and I wish that wasn’t the case. Even the other friends from their time in Goa never come back into the story, and it feels like a missed opportunity for her to build more community.
I’m still interested in reading more from this author, as I’ve read and loved some of their other work, but this book was a big miss for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2026
**ARC REVIEW**
I liked it. I don’t have particularly strong feelings but I’m not mad I read it. As a criminal defense attorney, it was interesting to read about the Indian legal system in Bangalore. I always enjoy reading books by authors who are not cis-white women (not sorry) because I read soooo much of that already. I love that Swati Hedge is a romance writer who lives in Bangalore and writes stories set in India. She blended in different aspects of Indian culture like the popularity of Bollywood, caste system prejudice, and how a lot of westernization has crept in (restaurants, TV shows, etc.) I was interested to see how the story would unfold given my professional background and let me tell you, if that is how the Indian judicial system works IT IS WILD.
I did a little research to hopefully not come off as completely ignorant and it appears that the Indian judicial system is a mix of holdovers from British rule (ahem colonialism) like common and civil law. The judiciary is structured with district and appellate courts as well as a Supreme Court. The law can vary region to region but the criminal system is generally based on a model code. Here are some things you would generally never be allowed to do during a criminal trial in MN:
- poke around an open crime scene. The two main characters are fully walking around a dead guy’s movie trailer while his blood is still on the floor days later!!!! They sit on his bed, touch stuff without gloves, and there is no one there chaperoning??? They’re doing witness interviews at peoples’ houses.
- have a murder trial within 3 weeks of the death. Talk about playing fast and loose. A speedy trial in the US is 60 days and I don’t recommend it for a murder trial.
- hold up new evidence mid-trial in court for a gotcha moment. like, what???? You’re just out here with Reddit posts and a new witness statement you haven’t turned over. And you’re about to call that person to testify?? The author has the prosecutor object but the judge is like, “fair play, it’s fine.” It’s bad form to do that IRL.
- no juries?? I mean, don’t get me wrong, sometimes you want a judge to make the big decisions like guilty vs. not guilty but the idea that you don’t have the option to get a jury trial is crazy. They abolished juries in the 1970s????
The whole legal storyline was giving me Mock Trial x Legally Blonde vibes which was ironic considering the MFC teases her dad about how unrealistic legal dramas like Suits are (true) but you’re out here describing the Wild West. I liked the story and the characters and the fact that two of the main characters are queer in a culture that is still very conservative. I don’t think I would read this again or jump at the chance to read another book in the series. 3 stars.
I liked it. I don’t have particularly strong feelings but I’m not mad I read it. As a criminal defense attorney, it was interesting to read about the Indian legal system in Bangalore. I always enjoy reading books by authors who are not cis-white women (not sorry) because I read soooo much of that already. I love that Swati Hedge is a romance writer who lives in Bangalore and writes stories set in India. She blended in different aspects of Indian culture like the popularity of Bollywood, caste system prejudice, and how a lot of westernization has crept in (restaurants, TV shows, etc.) I was interested to see how the story would unfold given my professional background and let me tell you, if that is how the Indian judicial system works IT IS WILD.
I did a little research to hopefully not come off as completely ignorant and it appears that the Indian judicial system is a mix of holdovers from British rule (ahem colonialism) like common and civil law. The judiciary is structured with district and appellate courts as well as a Supreme Court. The law can vary region to region but the criminal system is generally based on a model code. Here are some things you would generally never be allowed to do during a criminal trial in MN:
- poke around an open crime scene. The two main characters are fully walking around a dead guy’s movie trailer while his blood is still on the floor days later!!!! They sit on his bed, touch stuff without gloves, and there is no one there chaperoning??? They’re doing witness interviews at peoples’ houses.
- have a murder trial within 3 weeks of the death. Talk about playing fast and loose. A speedy trial in the US is 60 days and I don’t recommend it for a murder trial.
- hold up new evidence mid-trial in court for a gotcha moment. like, what???? You’re just out here with Reddit posts and a new witness statement you haven’t turned over. And you’re about to call that person to testify?? The author has the prosecutor object but the judge is like, “fair play, it’s fine.” It’s bad form to do that IRL.
- no juries?? I mean, don’t get me wrong, sometimes you want a judge to make the big decisions like guilty vs. not guilty but the idea that you don’t have the option to get a jury trial is crazy. They abolished juries in the 1970s????
The whole legal storyline was giving me Mock Trial x Legally Blonde vibes which was ironic considering the MFC teases her dad about how unrealistic legal dramas like Suits are (true) but you’re out here describing the Wild West. I liked the story and the characters and the fact that two of the main characters are queer in a culture that is still very conservative. I don’t think I would read this again or jump at the chance to read another book in the series. 3 stars.
June 24, 2026
Rating: 3.5
Love Beyond Reasonable Doubt had so many pieces I immediately connected with: a second chance at love, forced proximity, lawyers working together, emotional walls, and two people learning how to trust again after heartbreak.
One thing I really appreciated was that the story had more happening beyond the romance. Naina and Tejas are both lawyers, and their work on a murder case was not just mentioned in passing. We actually see them investigating, questioning suspects, visiting locations, and actively working through the case. I love romances where the characters have their own goals and lives outside of the relationship, and this added another layer to their dynamic.
Tejas was honestly a character I really appreciated. After being hurt by his past relationship, I liked seeing how he handled that situation with maturity. Instead of constantly reopening a door that was hurting him, he chose to protect his peace and move forward. I also really enjoyed how patient he was with Naina while still recognizing his own worth. He cared about her, but he also acknowledged that his feelings mattered too.
Naina’s journey was interesting because she was someone who had built walls around herself after betrayal. While I understood her fear of letting someone in again, I did find myself wishing her emotional growth had been explored a little deeper. There were moments where Tejas was clearly trying to show up for her, and I wanted more conversations between them about those fears instead of seeing them pushed away repeatedly. In the end, Naina acknowledged she was still learning and working on herself, but I would have loved to spend more time watching that growth happen.
My biggest struggle was the pacing and the dual timeline structure. This book switches between their past vacation in Goa and the present timeline. While I understood the purpose of showing where their connection started, some of the flashbacks felt like they interrupted the momentum for me. At times I wanted to stay with the present-day story, especially when emotional moments or the case were developing. I think fewer flashbacks focused on the most impactful moments would have made their history feel just as meaningful while allowing the present romance more room to breathe.
Overall, Love Beyond Reasonable Doubt had characters and themes I enjoyed: learning to love again, allowing yourself to be vulnerable, and realizing protecting your heart does not have to mean closing it completely. The pacing kept me from being fully invested the entire time, but I still appreciated the heart behind the story, the legal subplot, and the message about giving yourself permission to take a chance on love again.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballnatine books for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Love Beyond Reasonable Doubt had so many pieces I immediately connected with: a second chance at love, forced proximity, lawyers working together, emotional walls, and two people learning how to trust again after heartbreak.
One thing I really appreciated was that the story had more happening beyond the romance. Naina and Tejas are both lawyers, and their work on a murder case was not just mentioned in passing. We actually see them investigating, questioning suspects, visiting locations, and actively working through the case. I love romances where the characters have their own goals and lives outside of the relationship, and this added another layer to their dynamic.
Tejas was honestly a character I really appreciated. After being hurt by his past relationship, I liked seeing how he handled that situation with maturity. Instead of constantly reopening a door that was hurting him, he chose to protect his peace and move forward. I also really enjoyed how patient he was with Naina while still recognizing his own worth. He cared about her, but he also acknowledged that his feelings mattered too.
Naina’s journey was interesting because she was someone who had built walls around herself after betrayal. While I understood her fear of letting someone in again, I did find myself wishing her emotional growth had been explored a little deeper. There were moments where Tejas was clearly trying to show up for her, and I wanted more conversations between them about those fears instead of seeing them pushed away repeatedly. In the end, Naina acknowledged she was still learning and working on herself, but I would have loved to spend more time watching that growth happen.
My biggest struggle was the pacing and the dual timeline structure. This book switches between their past vacation in Goa and the present timeline. While I understood the purpose of showing where their connection started, some of the flashbacks felt like they interrupted the momentum for me. At times I wanted to stay with the present-day story, especially when emotional moments or the case were developing. I think fewer flashbacks focused on the most impactful moments would have made their history feel just as meaningful while allowing the present romance more room to breathe.
Overall, Love Beyond Reasonable Doubt had characters and themes I enjoyed: learning to love again, allowing yourself to be vulnerable, and realizing protecting your heart does not have to mean closing it completely. The pacing kept me from being fully invested the entire time, but I still appreciated the heart behind the story, the legal subplot, and the message about giving yourself permission to take a chance on love again.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballnatine books for the opportunity to read this ARC.
May 15, 2026
Love Beyond Reasonable Doubt was such an enjoyable blend of second-chance romance, workplace tension, emotional vulnerability, and legal drama. Swati Hegde delivered a story that felt heartfelt, messy, swoony, and incredibly easy to get invested in.
What really worked for me was the chemistry between Naina and Tejas. Their relationship starts with this carefree, sun-soaked connection in Goa that feels exciting and temporary, only for real life to come crashing back in when they unexpectedly reunite at the same law firm. The tension between them was so well done because it wasn’t just attraction driving everything forward; it was all the unresolved feelings, missed timing, and emotional baggage sitting underneath every interaction.
I especially loved Tejas. Give me a soft, patient, emotionally intelligent man who is completely gone for the heroine and I will eat it up every single time. He had such a warm, grounding presence throughout the story, especially against Naina’s more guarded and career-focused personality. And honestly, Naina’s struggles felt very realistic. Her fear of sacrificing her ambitions or losing herself in a relationship added a lot of emotional depth to the romance instead of creating unnecessary drama.
The dual timeline worked really well here too. Normally, I can struggle with back-and-forth timelines, but in this case it genuinely added to the emotional payoff. Seeing their connection develop in Goa while simultaneously watching them navigate all the tension in the present made every small moment hit harder. It created this constant ache of knowing what they had lost and wondering if they could ever find their way back to each other.
I also really enjoyed the legal subplot more than I expected. The murder trial storyline kept the pacing moving and added another layer of tension beyond the romance. Watching Naina and Tejas work together while trying to keep their emotions in check made the slow burn even better.
The only reason this wasn’t quite a full five stars for me was that I wanted just a little more emotional intensity in a few places, especially toward the resolution. But overall, this was such a satisfying, character-driven romance filled with yearning, banter, emotional growth, and genuinely lovable characters.
If you love second-chance romances, workplace romance, ambitious heroines, emotionally supportive MMCs, and stories full of longing and tension, this is definitely worth picking up.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
What really worked for me was the chemistry between Naina and Tejas. Their relationship starts with this carefree, sun-soaked connection in Goa that feels exciting and temporary, only for real life to come crashing back in when they unexpectedly reunite at the same law firm. The tension between them was so well done because it wasn’t just attraction driving everything forward; it was all the unresolved feelings, missed timing, and emotional baggage sitting underneath every interaction.
I especially loved Tejas. Give me a soft, patient, emotionally intelligent man who is completely gone for the heroine and I will eat it up every single time. He had such a warm, grounding presence throughout the story, especially against Naina’s more guarded and career-focused personality. And honestly, Naina’s struggles felt very realistic. Her fear of sacrificing her ambitions or losing herself in a relationship added a lot of emotional depth to the romance instead of creating unnecessary drama.
The dual timeline worked really well here too. Normally, I can struggle with back-and-forth timelines, but in this case it genuinely added to the emotional payoff. Seeing their connection develop in Goa while simultaneously watching them navigate all the tension in the present made every small moment hit harder. It created this constant ache of knowing what they had lost and wondering if they could ever find their way back to each other.
I also really enjoyed the legal subplot more than I expected. The murder trial storyline kept the pacing moving and added another layer of tension beyond the romance. Watching Naina and Tejas work together while trying to keep their emotions in check made the slow burn even better.
The only reason this wasn’t quite a full five stars for me was that I wanted just a little more emotional intensity in a few places, especially toward the resolution. But overall, this was such a satisfying, character-driven romance filled with yearning, banter, emotional growth, and genuinely lovable characters.
If you love second-chance romances, workplace romance, ambitious heroines, emotionally supportive MMCs, and stories full of longing and tension, this is definitely worth picking up.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 14, 2026
Swati Hegde delivers a romance that feels equal parts ambitious, heartfelt, and emotionally messy in the best way possible. Love Beyond a Reasonable Doubt is a slow-burn second-chance workplace romance wrapped in legal drama, longing, and the kind of chemistry that simmers long before it explodes.
Naina and Tejas are the kind of couple that immediately pull you in because their connection starts with timing being completely wrong. Their vacation fling in Goa is carefree, flirty, and intentionally detached, but the emotional fallout lingers long after they part ways. When fate throws them back together at the same law firm, the tension becomes impossible to ignore. Every interaction carries the weight of unfinished feelings, guarded hearts, and the terrifying possibility of wanting more.
Naina was such a compelling heroine. Her determination to prioritize her career above everything else felt incredibly realistic, especially in a high-pressure legal environment where women are often expected to prove themselves twice over. She’s sharp, stubborn, emotionally guarded, and impossible not to root for. Tejas balances her perfectly with his warmth and charm. Beneath his easygoing personality is someone quietly yearning to be chosen wholeheartedly, and that emotional vulnerability made him incredibly lovable.
The workplace dynamic added so much to the story. The competitive atmosphere, the shared case, the late nights, and the constant push-and-pull between professionalism and attraction created a tension that built beautifully throughout the novel. The slow burn truly earns its payoff here. Every glance, every almost-confession, every moment of emotional honesty hits harder because of how carefully the relationship develops.
What makes this romance stand out most is how grounded it feels. The emotional conflicts aren’t manufactured; they stem from fear, ambition, heartbreak, and vulnerability. Hegde explores the difficulty of balancing love and personal goals without making either seem less important. The result is a romance that feels mature while still delivering all the swoony tension and emotional payoff readers crave.
If you love second-chance romances with workplace tension, emotionally intelligent characters, and gorgeous yearning woven through every chapter, this one absolutely deserves a spot on your reading list.
I read this prior to release and am voluntarily sharing my honest feedback.
Naina and Tejas are the kind of couple that immediately pull you in because their connection starts with timing being completely wrong. Their vacation fling in Goa is carefree, flirty, and intentionally detached, but the emotional fallout lingers long after they part ways. When fate throws them back together at the same law firm, the tension becomes impossible to ignore. Every interaction carries the weight of unfinished feelings, guarded hearts, and the terrifying possibility of wanting more.
Naina was such a compelling heroine. Her determination to prioritize her career above everything else felt incredibly realistic, especially in a high-pressure legal environment where women are often expected to prove themselves twice over. She’s sharp, stubborn, emotionally guarded, and impossible not to root for. Tejas balances her perfectly with his warmth and charm. Beneath his easygoing personality is someone quietly yearning to be chosen wholeheartedly, and that emotional vulnerability made him incredibly lovable.
The workplace dynamic added so much to the story. The competitive atmosphere, the shared case, the late nights, and the constant push-and-pull between professionalism and attraction created a tension that built beautifully throughout the novel. The slow burn truly earns its payoff here. Every glance, every almost-confession, every moment of emotional honesty hits harder because of how carefully the relationship develops.
What makes this romance stand out most is how grounded it feels. The emotional conflicts aren’t manufactured; they stem from fear, ambition, heartbreak, and vulnerability. Hegde explores the difficulty of balancing love and personal goals without making either seem less important. The result is a romance that feels mature while still delivering all the swoony tension and emotional payoff readers crave.
If you love second-chance romances with workplace tension, emotionally intelligent characters, and gorgeous yearning woven through every chapter, this one absolutely deserves a spot on your reading list.
I read this prior to release and am voluntarily sharing my honest feedback.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was my first book by Swati Hegde and I wanted to love it so much. It's right up my alley - romance, second chance, dual timeline.. but it just did not hit.
First the positives. I love that it took place in India. Seeing another culture represented, not just in terms of the romance and expectations around marriage, the gay community, but also how the legal system/lawyers work in another country was incredibly interesting. And I love Anil, I thought he was such a good friend.
That's sort of where my positives end, though.
The premise could've been incredibly sweet - 2 lawyers that have to work together fall in love, but surprise, they has a 2 week fling over a year ago and haven't seen each other since! I really did not like how the dual timeline was done. There was not enough substance in the "past" chapters to justify giving it like half the book - it could've just been a prologue and maybe some flashbacks; I internally groaned whenever it was a flashback chapter. In the "present" chapters, way too much time was spent on the case the lawyers were working on; at first I found it interesting, but as it progressed it was just given too much page time. I wanted to see Naina and Tejas do more things together outside of their work, I didn't really care about this murder mystery that was happening. Ultimately, I just feel like I didn't believe that they loved each other. I like the choice to make Tejas bisexual, I would've like to explore that more; he was so hurt by his ex, but I felt like that plot ultimately fell flat when it could've added in more complexity.
Last thing, this is a closed door romance, which is totally fine, but it needs to be done with a little more finesse. Even if we don't see them having sex, I still want to feel some kind of passion. There were some points when they had sex, and then all of a sudden they were done and I had to re-read because I was not sure if they had sex? The transitions/the fade to black was done in a really clunky way that felt more confusing than anything.
Anyway, I did not enjoy this. It wasn't terrible, but I really never wanted to pick it up. If you're on the fence, I think you should definitely check it out, there was nothing crazy terrible, I just found myself bored by the progression of the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine | Dell for this eARC.
2.5/5 stars
First the positives. I love that it took place in India. Seeing another culture represented, not just in terms of the romance and expectations around marriage, the gay community, but also how the legal system/lawyers work in another country was incredibly interesting. And I love Anil, I thought he was such a good friend.
That's sort of where my positives end, though.
The premise could've been incredibly sweet - 2 lawyers that have to work together fall in love, but surprise, they has a 2 week fling over a year ago and haven't seen each other since! I really did not like how the dual timeline was done. There was not enough substance in the "past" chapters to justify giving it like half the book - it could've just been a prologue and maybe some flashbacks; I internally groaned whenever it was a flashback chapter. In the "present" chapters, way too much time was spent on the case the lawyers were working on; at first I found it interesting, but as it progressed it was just given too much page time. I wanted to see Naina and Tejas do more things together outside of their work, I didn't really care about this murder mystery that was happening. Ultimately, I just feel like I didn't believe that they loved each other. I like the choice to make Tejas bisexual, I would've like to explore that more; he was so hurt by his ex, but I felt like that plot ultimately fell flat when it could've added in more complexity.
Last thing, this is a closed door romance, which is totally fine, but it needs to be done with a little more finesse. Even if we don't see them having sex, I still want to feel some kind of passion. There were some points when they had sex, and then all of a sudden they were done and I had to re-read because I was not sure if they had sex? The transitions/the fade to black was done in a really clunky way that felt more confusing than anything.
Anyway, I did not enjoy this. It wasn't terrible, but I really never wanted to pick it up. If you're on the fence, I think you should definitely check it out, there was nothing crazy terrible, I just found myself bored by the progression of the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine | Dell for this eARC.
2.5/5 stars
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
I’ll get to the heart of the matter, I wasn’t a fan of this book. It’s an easy read, and I enjoyed the setting, but the characters were one dimensional and the story was written in broad strokes without any depth or nuance.
Naina and Tejas meet in Goa after both had their hearts broken by their partners. They decided to have a fun, no strings attached fling, but quickly develop feelings for each other. Scared of getting her heart broken again, Naina turns her back on the relationship only to run into Tejas again 18 months later when he gets a job at her law firm.
The premise of the story is cute, and I love a good second chance story, but there were just so many misses. Hegde uses a dual timeline to give us insight on Naina and Tejas’s previous relationship, but ultimately it wasn’t necessary. This could’ve easily been done in a prologue. I would’ve rather had more time spent in the present. This would’ve offered a greater development of their romance. As it is, all we get is Naina pushing Tejas away while they work on a case together until she suddenly decides to say to hell with it, let’s give it a go. There’s no real yearning, no fun witty banter, no tension.
Naina and Tejas are both one dimensional characters. In fact, I didn’t understand why the Naina in Goa was vastly different from the present day Naina. There’s no explanation as to why she goes from this fun loving, free spirit to this workaholic obsessed with making partner. There’s no real character growth on her part. As for Tejas, his defining character trait is his love for Naina and his cat Astrid.
Hegde glosses over major topics in this novel, such as Tejas’s bisexuality and the misogyny Naina faced and spent no real time providing commentary on the societal expectation of women in India. These would’ve been so interesting to delve into and given the novel more complexity and depth.
The murder trial was interesting, though pretty obvious as to who the perpetrator was. I didn’t mind the scenes in which they worked on the case, but I do feel it was a missed opportunity to build tension and to develop their relationship. It’s frustrating because this book had all of the makings to be a solid second chance novel, but instead was an okay read that I didn’t mind taking breaks from.
I’ll get to the heart of the matter, I wasn’t a fan of this book. It’s an easy read, and I enjoyed the setting, but the characters were one dimensional and the story was written in broad strokes without any depth or nuance.
Naina and Tejas meet in Goa after both had their hearts broken by their partners. They decided to have a fun, no strings attached fling, but quickly develop feelings for each other. Scared of getting her heart broken again, Naina turns her back on the relationship only to run into Tejas again 18 months later when he gets a job at her law firm.
The premise of the story is cute, and I love a good second chance story, but there were just so many misses. Hegde uses a dual timeline to give us insight on Naina and Tejas’s previous relationship, but ultimately it wasn’t necessary. This could’ve easily been done in a prologue. I would’ve rather had more time spent in the present. This would’ve offered a greater development of their romance. As it is, all we get is Naina pushing Tejas away while they work on a case together until she suddenly decides to say to hell with it, let’s give it a go. There’s no real yearning, no fun witty banter, no tension.
Naina and Tejas are both one dimensional characters. In fact, I didn’t understand why the Naina in Goa was vastly different from the present day Naina. There’s no explanation as to why she goes from this fun loving, free spirit to this workaholic obsessed with making partner. There’s no real character growth on her part. As for Tejas, his defining character trait is his love for Naina and his cat Astrid.
Hegde glosses over major topics in this novel, such as Tejas’s bisexuality and the misogyny Naina faced and spent no real time providing commentary on the societal expectation of women in India. These would’ve been so interesting to delve into and given the novel more complexity and depth.
The murder trial was interesting, though pretty obvious as to who the perpetrator was. I didn’t mind the scenes in which they worked on the case, but I do feel it was a missed opportunity to build tension and to develop their relationship. It’s frustrating because this book had all of the makings to be a solid second chance novel, but instead was an okay read that I didn’t mind taking breaks from.
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