12 Years: My Messed-up Love Story

by Chetan Bhagat

The blockbuster new love story by Chetan Bhagat.

He's 33. She's 21.

He's a struggling stand-up comic. She's a rising star in private equity.

He's divorced. She's never had a boyfriend.

He's Punjabi. She's from a conservative Jain family.

They shouldn't be together. But they can't stay apart.

Welcome to 12 My Messed-Up Love Story.

Saket and Payal couldn't be more different-age, background, beliefs. Yet, they're drawn to each other in ways they can't explain. Is it just chemistry, or something deeper? Is it madness and lust, or is it love?

Unputdownable and thoroughly entertaining, 12 Years tries to answer the eternal How do you know if someone is the one - especially when everything says they're not?

From India's top-selling writer Chetan Bhagat comes a powerful new love story that will make you laugh, cry and rethink everything you know about love.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Indian Literature

424 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2025

About the author

Chetan Bhagat writes op-ed columns for English and Hindi newspapers, including Times of India and Dainik Bhaskar, focusing on youth and issues based on national development. Bhagat is also a motivational speaker and has given talks in leading MNCs and other institutions. He quit his international investment banking career in 2009, to devote his entire time to writing. In 2008, The New York Times called Bhagat "the biggest selling English language novelist in India’s history". Bhagat, a graduate of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi and IIM Ahmedabad, is seen more as a youth icon than as an author.

Reviews

[Srivalli (Semi-Hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.2 Stars

One Liner: Timepass read

Saket (33) and Payal (21) come from different backgrounds and lifestyles as well as age groups. Yet, their mutual attraction brings them together. But the read to happy-ever-after is far from straightforward!

The story comes in Saket’s first-person POV.

My Thoughts

Well, it has been many years since I read a book by this author. Despite all the criticism against his books/ plots/ writing style, one has to admit that his writing is very easy to read. It is simple and casual despite the OTT drama in the plots. During my undergraduate years, his books were the ones that helped me get back my reading tempo after 3+ years of lull. From there, I went to enjoy Austen, Verne, Wodehouse, and Christie’s books.

Back to the book: the premise and the promotions establish the tropes—age gap romance, different backgrounds, family drama. Can’t complain when we already know what it has, right?

The prologue establishes another factor: the author seems to have another favorite trope. His MMCs have a thing for turning into Devdas and attempting to off themselves.

As I got into the flow, I noticed that the book (though longer than the previous works) follows the same template, dramabazi, and writing style. While this no doubt feels familiar, it also highlights that years of experience haven’t polished the writing or added nuance to the plotting. The pacing is still fast, so that’s a plus.

However, it helps if you want something that feels familiar and is no different from the author’s trademark style. Like the pani puri stall on the street corner. You know the risks, but consume it anyway for the sense of comfort and familiarity it offers.

The main characters, despite starting as clichés, do gain some depth over time and sound relatable to an extent. Also, I like that the guy here is into fitness (though his drinking would have ruined half the liver). The family drama is pretty much OTT (daily soap vibes, including the time leaps). And there are quite a few leaps, too!

The side characters are cookie-cutter versions who do what they are expected to do. While I appreciate that they aren’t evil as such, there is also no space for subtlety or layers. What you see is what you get.

I like the significance of the title as it applies to the story in more than the obvious way. Moreover, things come around in a circle, and contrast in the scenes works really well to establish the core point—how do you know they are the ‘one’?

Despite a certain section having more tell than show, it manages to highlight a vital element—something people need to grow as individuals before they can be together. It makes us wonder what would have happened if their story had gone the other way.

Like the previous books I read by the author, this too has a touch of spice, but comes with an added flavor of role-play kink. Not my thing in romance reads, TBH, but okay. He doesn’t go into a lot of detail (small mercies), so I could speed-read those parts.

We do have an epilogue, but it’s too tiny and rushed. After reading 400+ pages, that little epilogue doesn’t feel satisfying. It should have been longer, another page or two at least!

To summarize, 12 Years is entertaining enough if you enjoy it for what it is—a book that’ll keep you occupied for a couple of hours or more when traveling or waiting anywhere. Also, I think it’s more suited for desi readers.

Thank you, Blogchatter and HarperCollins India, for a copy of the book. This review is powered by the Blogchatter Book Review Program and contains my honest opinions.

[Krishna Sudheer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Its Toxic, borderline paedophilic, not worth your time.

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am not reading this garbage! Why fk the very young, very protected woman during daytime when you are visiting her parents in their home that too has been planned?! And that too in a cringy role playing nasty sx all nked?! You think we are all that dumb to enjoy this sht. Thought the writing, the characters, the awful instant attraction and adult main characters behaving like dogs on heat the entire time and getting caught while doing the nasty by the woman’s parents - thought it would all change or at least improve by now that the author is older and bringing out this book years later after a string of similar questionable books.

I am okay with the age gap. It’s not about that. I am also okay with the same masala formula that the author has used in all his previous other books - pretty hot super smart (but also quite questionable from the way they repeatedly behave) female lead; families belonging to different cultures/religion; and the drama following that.

At this point, I see no hopes of ever enjoying a book again by this author.

Perfect teenage boy dream description of their sick fantasies. And no, female leads do not need to portray themselves like prn stars in order to make the novel spicy. In this one, it is worse! The seemingly innocent young woman becomes just that JUST LIKE THAT. Eek!

Not for me.

[Bibhu Pandey · Rating 2 out of 5]

same old plot

Almost quitted during mid of reading. Same old plot of family drama, cast/age difference, family not agree and finally together.

[Sneha Datta · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you’re going to buy this book, do yourself a favour and don’t waste your time. I honestly regret reading this. It’s not that I expect eloquent literary masterpiece from Chetan Bhagat but given the title 12 years, I expected a bit more depth from the story.

—-spoilers starting

I expected a reconciliation tale of lovers who meet after 12 years, a story mirroring complexity and depth of why people separate and then meet after 12 years. Something along the lines of normal people or one day.

This story couldn’t have been a bigger disappointment. It was shallow, felt like written in the 90s with the same age old problems of society and the girl being the victim. Even though i understand it wasn’t implied, it’s so clichéd and demeaning to write the same narrative of a girl coming back once the guy becomes rich and successful in this era. Payal was at fault and Saket was correct in protecting himself by not sleeping with her but she had to act bitchy which ends with a stupid re-union proposal on a stage, like seriously? This made her character loose depth completely. A relationship survives 12 years, 2 divorces, 1 marriage, 1 unicorn startup but the ending happens on a comedy club stage? Are we 16? The writing is so flat, I’m sure that this was delegated to some junior. “I smiled, even as I teared up”? It couldn’t have been more shallow.

It also didn’t need to end with a child and stupid comments like he gets this from his dad and he gets this from his mum. The world has moved forward and I expected a bit more depth. The book is edited so poorly, I’m surprised such books can get published under such big author names. It’s sad to see a book which could have held a lot of potential fall so flat.

It’s ok to write simple stories but it should have something which connects with you and doesn’t feel so perfectly fabricated.

[Krutheeka · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this book to see "how bad it is this time?", and oh boy. It just gets worse with every book.

[Sukhmani Malik · Rating 1 out of 5]

okay pedo

[Aditi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I felt like a teenager wrote this book, both characters are major red flags, I don't have the habit of leaving a book midway but really wanted to...feels like Chetan Bhagat sells out and tries to write bollywood scripts (bad ones) rather than good books now. More than a messed up love story, it felt like the lives of the characters are only messed up. Big waste of time.

[The Bookish Elf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chetan Bhagat, the bestselling author who gave us campus romances and social commentaries through works like Five Point Someone and 2 States, returns with a love story that refuses to follow conventional rules. 12 Years - My Messed-up Love Story presents readers with a relationship that society would immediately dismiss: a thirty-three-year-old divorced stand-up comedian and a twenty-one-year-old rising star in private equity. The twelve-year age gap becomes both the central tension and the beating heart of this narrative.

The story asks a fundamental question that resonates across all love stories: how do you know if someone is "the one," especially when everything says they're not? Bhagat tackles this universal dilemma through Saket Khurana and Payal Jain, two individuals who shouldn't work on paper but create undeniable chemistry in reality.

A Protagonist Worth Rooting For

Saket Khurana emerges as one of Bhagat's most nuanced protagonists. Fresh from a brutal divorce settlement that has left him financially drained and emotionally scarred, Saket abandons his lucrative investment banking career in San Francisco to pursue stand-up comedy in Mumbai. This isn't the typical hero's journey of someone chasing dreams with fearless abandon. Saket is broken, uncertain, living in a five-hundred-square-foot Bandra apartment, and questioning every life choice he's made.

What makes Saket compelling is his self-awareness paired with vulnerability. He knows he's thirty-three, divorced, and pursuing an unstable career. He recognizes the absurdity of falling for someone twelve years younger. Yet, Bhagat writes him with such honesty that readers cannot help but empathize with his situation. The author skillfully uses Saket's stand-up comedy routines as windows into his psyche, revealing fears and insecurities through humor rather than heavy-handed introspection.

Payal: Breaking the Mold

Payal Jain defies the typical romantic heroine archetype. She's twenty-one but carries herself with remarkable maturity, working grueling fourteen-hour days in private equity while navigating family expectations that come with being part of a conservative Jain household. Bhagat resists the temptation to make her either naively innocent or rebelliously defiant. Instead, Payal exists in that realistic gray zone where many young adults find themselves—wanting independence while still valuing family bonds, seeking love while building a career.

The romance between Saket and Payal develops organically through conversations on window ledges, midnight snacks at the beach, and shared moments of vulnerability. Their connection isn't built on grand gestures but on understanding, acceptance, and the simple magic of being present with each other. When Payal tells Saket that she finds joy in clearing the dining table together or having tea at four in the morning, it captures the essence of genuine compatibility.

The Twelve-Year Journey

The narrative structure deserves special mention. Bhagat doesn't present a linear love story; instead, he crafts a tale spanning twelve years across Mumbai and Dubai. The story jumps between their initial romance, a painful separation, independent growth, an unexpected reunion, and ultimately, redemption. This temporal complexity adds depth to the narrative, showing how both characters evolve individually before finding their way back to each other.

The Dubai chapters, where Saket builds SecurityNet into a multi-billion dollar cybersecurity company while Payal navigates a failing marriage to Parimal, showcase Bhagat's understanding of professional ambition and personal emptiness. Success, the author suggests, means little when shared with the wrong person. The contrast between Saket's Ukrainian girlfriends (Tania and Paulina) and his enduring feelings for Payal brilliantly illustrates that physical attraction cannot replace emotional connection.

Writing Style: Accessible Yet Engaging

Bhagat maintains his signature conversational style that has made him India's top-selling English language novelist. The prose flows effortlessly, making the book accessible to readers across demographics. Sentences are crisp, dialogue feels natural, and the pacing keeps pages turning. The author incorporates contemporary references—Instagram influencers, private equity deals, Dubai's luxury lifestyle—that ground the story in modern India.

The comedy sequences deserve particular praise. Bhagat, drawing perhaps from real stand-up performances, writes genuinely funny material. Saket's jokes about Axe deodorants, push-up bras becoming "dhakka-maar bras" in Hindi, and Jain food restrictions are humorous without being offensive. These moments provide levity while also serving character development purposes.

However, the writing occasionally stumbles into telling rather than showing. Some emotional beats could have been more subtly conveyed through action and dialogue rather than explicit internal monologue. Additionally, certain supporting characters feel underutilized—Mudit, Saket's best friend, shows promise but remains largely functional to the plot.

Navigating Cultural Complexities

One of the book's strongest aspects is its exploration of cultural and communal pressures in contemporary Indian society. The Jain community expectations, the stigma around divorce, and the judgment surrounding age-gap relationships are portrayed with sensitivity and realism. Payal's parents, Anand and Yashodha, aren't villainous obstacles but rather products of their generation and community values.

The arranged marriage subplot with Parimal Jain effectively illustrates how "perfect matches on paper" can result in hollow marriages. Parimal isn't portrayed as evil or abusive; he's simply incompatible with Payal. Their relationship deteriorates not through dramatic conflicts but through accumulated small disappointments and fundamental disconnection—a refreshingly realistic portrayal.

Themes That Resonate

The book thoughtfully examines several compelling themes:

Age as a construct versus compatibility as reality: The twelve-year gap becomes symbolic of all the external factors that people use to judge relationships
The courage to choose unconventional paths: Both Saket leaving investment banking for comedy and Payal eventually choosing divorce over societal approval
The difference between passion and purpose: Saket's journey from passionate comedian to successful entrepreneur and back to comedy illustrates how we sometimes need to achieve conventional success before feeling secure enough to pursue genuine passions
The role of timing in relationships: The narrative suggests that sometimes people need to grow apart before they can truly appreciate each other
The Emotional Climax

The final stand-up performance where Saket publicly declares his feelings for Payal could have felt melodramatic, but Bhagat handles it with restraint. The confession isn't manipulative or performative; it's an honest acknowledgment of regret, growth, and enduring love. When Payal walks up to the stage and they kiss in front of her parents, colleagues, and the media, it represents not reckless rebellion but conscious choice—both characters finally prioritizing their happiness over external validation.

Minor Shortcomings

While largely successful, the book isn't without flaws. The middle section, particularly Saket's relationship with Tania and Paulina, occasionally feels like unnecessary padding. The "main girl" concept and the somewhat stereotypical portrayal of Eastern European women seeking financial support could have been handled with more nuance.

The business acquisition plotline, while serving to bring Saket and Payal back together, sometimes overshadows the emotional core of the story. Technical details about private equity and cybersecurity, though likely researched thoroughly, may not engage all readers equally.

The epilogue, jumping six years ahead to show Saket and Payal married with a son who tells jokes, provides satisfying closure but feels slightly rushed compared to the detailed journey that precedes it.

Who Should Read This Book

This book will particularly resonate with:

Readers who have experienced or witnessed relationships judged by external standards rather than internal compatibility
Those navigating the tension between personal desires and familial expectations
Anyone who believes in second chances and the possibility of redemption
Professionals who have questioned whether career success compensates for emotional fulfillment
Bhagat's existing fanbase looking for a more mature, emotionally complex narrative

The Verdict

12 Years - My Messed-up Love Story represents Chetan Bhagat writing with emotional depth and narrative sophistication. While maintaining his accessible style, he crafts a romance that feels genuine, earned, and satisfying. The book doesn't shy away from difficult questions about compatibility, timing, societal pressure, and personal growth.

Is it perfect? No. The pacing occasionally lags, some subplots feel underdeveloped, and certain supporting characters could be more dimensional. However, the emotional core remains strong throughout. The central relationship between Saket and Payal feels authentic, their struggles resonate, and their eventual reunion delivers the catharsis readers seek.

This isn't a fairy tale romance where everything falls into place effortlessly. It's messy, complicated, painful, and ultimately hopeful—much like real love. Bhagat succeeds in creating characters who make mistakes, hurt each other, grow separately, and find their way back together not because destiny demanded it but because they chose each other despite every reason not to.

The book asks readers to consider what truly matters in relationships: age and background, or understanding and joy? Conventional success, or emotional fulfillment? Societal approval, or personal happiness? Through Saket and Payal's twelve-year journey, Bhagat suggests that love worth having is love worth fighting for, regardless of what anyone else thinks.

For anyone who has ever been told that their relationship doesn't make sense, who has felt the pain of choosing between love and family, or who believes that sometimes the best things in life come when you finally have the courage to be yourself—this book will strike a chord. 12 Years reminds us that the heart wants what it wants, and sometimes, the most unconventional choices lead to the most extraordinary happiness.

[Yesha- Books Teacup and Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

review -

12 Years: My Messed-Up Love Story is an entertaining, dramatic age-gap romance that follows the story of Saket Khurana, a 33-year-old divorcee who moves to Mumbai for a fresh start and to pursue his passion for stand-up comedy. During his very first performance, he meets Payal Jain, a 22-year-old woman working at an equity firm, and sparks fly instantly.

Their chemistry is undeniable, their connection effortless. They click on every level except the ones that matter most to society- religion, background, and, of course, their age difference. But the biggest roadblock isn’t them; it’s Payal’s parents who are deeply orthodox Jains and control every aspect of her life, refusing to let her live on her own terms.

The story follows whether Saket and Payal can overcome these hurdles, stand against family and tradition, and fight for love that’s anything but easy.

Now, this book has found itself wrapped in controversy for its age-gap element. Some readers have gone as far as calling it “creepy,” comparing it to an adult man preying on a child. Honestly? That’s an exaggeration. I’ve seen much worse examples of age-gap romances being romanticized and no one bats an eye.

Payal, for her part, is mature in most aspects- her job, her worldview, her independence -except when it comes to love and sex, which is less about her immaturity and more about the guilt instilled in her since childhood that “a relationship before marriage is sinful.” Yes, the book includes spicy, kinky scenes in the first hundred pages or so, but they’re not graphic or exploitative. They fit the story’s tone and characters.

It’s been a long time since I picked up a book by this author, yet the writing still feels effortless. The plot is simple but engaging, filled with humor, drama, and moments that strike a chord. Some parts are clichéd and a bit far-fetched, but that’s also part of the charm, like watching a Bollywood romance that knows exactly what it is.

The book explores themes that are deeply rooted in Indian society — the suffocating weight of societal expectations, generational conflict, class and caste divides, social media facades, and gender inequality. The recurring mindset of “log kya kahenge” (what will people say) runs like a haunting refrain, showing how parents can destroy their children’s happiness while convincing themselves they’re doing the right thing.

Payal is a typical modern heroine: smart, capable, and ambitious. She works in a prestigious equity firm, handles high-stakes decisions, and thrives professionally- yet she’s completely powerless when it comes to her family. Her parents’ control over her life is suffocating, and like many Indian women raised to obey and never question authority, she struggles to assert herself. Watching her internal tug-of-war between duty and happiness is both frustrating and relatable. It takes her far too long to realize that you can’t make your parents happy if it means destroying your own life in the process.

Saket, on the other hand, is a layered and relatable character. He’s been through hell — a failed marriage that drained him emotionally and financially, and a relationship with Payal that left him hollow and disillusioned. His fears, insecurities, and broken trust in love are believable. What annoyed me, though, was how long he stayed emotionally stuck, even after a decade. He sure needed a therapy but like most men he leaned towards alcohol, work, and meaningless flings. It’s realistic, sure, but frustrating to read.

Chemistry between Saket and Payal is undeniable, their connection effortless. The romance itself isn’t groundbreaking, but they click on every level. It’s emotionally engaging. It has that imperfect, chaotic energy of real relationships.

I liked how they overcame everyone’s judgement about their love that their relationship is nothing more than lust- an older man’s fantasy about a younger woman and a young woman’s infatuation with someone older, stable, and confident. But underneath the surface, there’s always been something deeper between Saket and Payal- an unspoken understanding, a magnetic pull that neither of them can rationalize or deny.

Their connection goes beyond physical attraction; it’s inexplicably real, which makes their struggle to be together all the more compelling. Even though timing of their relaionship wasn’t right in the beginning, the feelings never died.

What truly shocked me was how her parents treated her — manipulative, emotionally abusive, and hypocritical to the bone. Her education, job, and success meant nothing to them compared to their obsession with image and social standing. Even after everything falls apart, they show no guilt, no self-awareness. Their son, who’s done worse by every metric, remains the golden child simply because he’s “the son” for most part.

The book also cleverly touches on the toxic side of social media through Payal’s friend Akanksha, who curates the perfect online life for validation. Her “picture-perfect” marriage becomes an ideal in Payal’s parents’ eyes, despite being shallow and performative. It’s a sharp commentary on how people only show the polished fragments of their lives online, hiding the chaos beneath the filters.

The second part of the story is where things get more interesting— Saket rebuilding his life, crossing paths with Payal again, and confronting the ghosts of their past. The story is primarily told from Saket’s perspective, but Payal’s POV in this section adds a refreshing balance. It doesn’t fully redeem her in my eyes, she still should’ve stood up for herself sooner, but it gives her dimension.

The final part ties everything together beautifully. Saket finally understands what happiness means to him, while Payal learns to choose her own joy, even if it means defying everything she was raised to believe. The last scenes — his stand-up performance and the heartfelt proposal — feel cinematic and tender, wrapping the messy chaos of their story in the right amount of closure.

While this isn’t a flawless five-star romance, it’s still an enjoyable and emotionally layered one. It leans heavily on familiar tropes and Bollywood-style melodrama, but it works with author's trademark style.

If you enjoy modern Indian romances that blend passion, family drama, and emotional realism, 12 Years: My Messed-Up Love Story will keep you hooked from start to finish.

[a_geminireader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some stories don’t just talk about love , they talk about the courage to love. This book is exactly that. Chetan Bhagat brings together two people separated not just by circumstances but by a twelve-year age gap , a gap that feels huge, judged, and almost impossible to bridge in our society.

What begins as a connection between two unlikely souls slowly turns into a complicated journey of emotions — attraction, hesitation, guilt, and growth. It’s the kind of story that makes you uncomfortable in the best way, because it forces you to think: Can love really exist beyond numbers, opinions, and logic?

The chemistry between the leads is written with Bhagat’s trademark simplicity, but this time it hits deeper. The vulnerability, the insecurities, and the constant push-pull between “what’s right” and “what feels right” , all of it makes the story raw and emotionally charged.

✨ What I loved:
The book captures the beauty of imperfect love , the kind that’s questioned, judged, but still somehow real. It’s about finding connection where the world says you shouldn’t.

✨ My Thoughts:
It’s messy, intense, and strangely relatable. There are moments where you’ll frown, moments you’ll smile, and some that’ll make you quietly think about how complicated yet beautiful human emotions can be.

✨ Overall:
" 12 Years My Messed Up Love Story" isn’t just a romance; it’s a social mirror. It talks about desire, difference, and the courage to stand up for love that doesn’t fit into the world’s “normal.”

[Smita Jain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chetan Bhagat’s 12 Years: My Messed-Up Love Story is a sincere attempt to blend romance with realism, touching upon career pressures, relationship dynamics, and the chaos of startup life. While the plot is predictable, Bhagat’s humour and sincerity shine through.

I appreciated the layered portrayal of Saket and the realistic depiction of modern work culture, though the romance with Payal didn’t feel convincing to me. The age gap, instead of adding nuance, dominates the narrative. What truly stands out is the friendship between Saket and Mudit: heartfelt, loyal, and real.

A relatable and occasionally profound read, even if it doesn’t quite match the emotional resonance of 2 States.

[Sowmya Kurra · Rating 1 out of 5]

12 Years: my messed up love story is filled with stereotypes with a bare semblance of a plot with the kind of drama that belongs in a Karan Johar film. And you do not need 400 pages for that.

Chetan Bhagat has once again touched upon a topic that a lot of Indians would find relatable. The pressure of family and society. Chasing those achievements and family approval with no regard to your individual passion. Especially if you’re trying to navigate your professional life while resisting family pressure of success and marriage, you will definitely relate to the protagonists, Saket and Payal.

However, there are more problematic aspects. While this book provides a representation for unconventional relationships, I’m not sure it does so in a great manner.

Another part that irked me was when the male protagonist questions why a friend posts on social media if she feels fulfilled in life. As if we don’t already have enough people stereotyping and judging social media users to feed their own superiority complex.

[Barsha Rai · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have loved Chetan Bhagat's books since I was in my early twenties! He has a flair for creating relatable characters and integrating them into our universe. This book was also somewhat like that. Being South Asian myself, our cultures and the society we live in are so similar to the one described in the book that we cannot help but get into the characters and the story as a whole. But you can also anticipate how the story would end now that I have read so many of his books. That's an advantage to me now! All in all, I got what I had expected from this book.

[Amartya Gupta · Rating 4 out of 5]

One word for it. Filmy. This describes everything that Chetan Bhagat has penned down in this book of his.
A really good book to read on lazy Monday afternoons like this one. It has simple characters who seemingly appear to be battling Bollywood-style life scenarios.
One would think that Chetan Bhagat's umpteenth attempt at writing a romance novel with Bollywood style masala and light humour would finally go up in smoke. But he still delivers. Nothing more, nothing less. A few hours of simple joyful reading that places you in a bubble of broken love stories and uncle jokes humour.
Though I'll highly suggest not to buy the book from Amazon like me. Instead go to a nearby second hand bookstore and I am sure you will find a copy there. Or you can just borrow it from me.
Well done Mr. Chetan Bhagat!

[Simple · Rating 1 out of 5]

As readers, our tastes mature over time, and we begin to appreciate literature that offers nuanced perspectives on relationships and delves deeply into character development. Unfortunately, this book lacks all of that. It feels like a richer, literary version of the Kabir Singh narrative, but without even a trace of genuine emotion. At no point does one feel the emotional intensity of Saket. The friendship between Saket and Mudit is portrayed superficially, and Payal’s character is fragmented and unconvincing.
The depiction of the Jain family is also disappointingly shallow. It leans on cliched caricature,like tropes, “no onion, no garlic”, without offering any meaningful introduction to their culture. To digress with an example, Elif Shafak’s The Island of Missing Trees, though fictional, immerses you in the cultural fabric of Cyprus. In contrast, this book does nothing comparable for the Jain community.
The repetitive stress points, Payal insisting “I’m not that kind of girl,” or Saket constantly referring to his “messed up story", feel forced, as though the author is trying to push these ideas down the reader’s throat through sheer repetition.
I will still read his upcoming book, hopeful that he rediscovers himself. Perhaps if he writes from genuine experience, as he did in Two States, rather than attempting themes he neither believes in nor fully understands, his storytelling will resonate again.

[Kaura · Rating 1 out of 5]

If there was going to be a separation arc and the fmc and mmc being with other partners then what’s the fuk was the romance. I hated Payal and what she did to Saket but I did feel really sad for her. I still think the guy had an age gap thingy considering he got a friends with benefit younger the him. Where was the romance ??!

Payal’s parents will never accept him but I feel like Payal would never ever fight for Saket like he would have. If he did not do the Stand up comedy in end then she would never have gotten together.

Also I feel like Saket deserved better than Payal.

[Abhishek Keshri · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am not going to comment much on this book but the writers imaginativeness. I hoped for a different kind of story this time from him but again the disappointment. the same old IIT, high paying job, business boy-girl romance related story, first getting separated for whatever reason and then in last as was expected of them to be reunited again. felt like reading some bollywood movie script, again.
my final take? it is a quick read at best also a good one for new readers or for some but definitely not for me. Nothing kind of new from the author .

[Niti Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

After Long time, had Chetan Bhagat's book, it was fun... messed up as name suggest but love story with happy ending..! Easy to read and amazing..! 😍🤩

[Shivam Paliwal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Will be delivered this Tuesday i.e. 7th Oct. Such bad rating already ?? 2.8 why ??
The book was delivered today i.e. 6th Oct 25.
its 8th already done with the book, man that was a quick read.
I don't know if i have grown old enough now to find the plot repeating.
it was as if there was nothing new to the story, one could predict where the story was going. it felt like a Bollywood movie script.
Still had some ups about the book.

"how does one know that that person is the one ?"

[Amrita Bhunia · Rating 2 out of 5]

OVERALL IMPRESSION


It was an okay read. I liked the fun elements. I loved the stand-up comedian parts. That was refreshing to read. I was okay with the age gap thing too. A lot of people find it controversial, but I have read books of that genre, so I wanted to see how an Indian author would portray it. I liked the characters. And that's all.


REPETITIVE STORYLINE

I have read 2 books of Chetan Bhagat so far. Both of them seem the same to me. Same storyline. Same boy obsessed about the girl. Girl says no, but the guy keeps on insisting. They start dating. The girl gets married to another guy because of family pressure. The male protagonist falls into depression and makes something meaningful out of his life. The girl gets divorced. The girl and the boy meet again, and then they try to reignite the flames. Finally, they get back together. Same 3 locations interval.

It's like I am reading the same book but with different names. This is my first point in terms of criticism.


MALE PROTAGONIST AND EMOTIONAL CONNECTION

I don't know why, but I wanted to read about a man who yearns for his girl. There's a reason my men in fictional books are so famous — because this is something we don't get in real life. I guess the author wanted to keep it real, but I really didn't feel connected to the male protagonist. I am the one who loves reading male points of view in romance books because the books always portray the 'men in love' notion so well. But this was something that lacked in this book, according to me. Yes, he suffered a lot, physically and mentally, but still there were emotions missing. Chetan Bhagat explored a little erotica too in this book, which was a good addition. But still, it lacked emotions. I know he wanted to keep it real for the Indian standard, but for a hopeless romantic girl like me, I felt disappointed.


FEMALE PROTAGONIST AND LACK OF AGENCY

I think the girl should have fought more. She has fought, but it was not in the right way. Yes, she was quite young, but she was independent too. I know a lot of people who have strict parents, but they don't listen to them. They always do what they want to do. Eventually, the parents come around. That should have happened here too. The girl should have stood her ground. Her parents gave her death threats about themselves, so the girl should have done the same thing too. She should have also gone for a hunger strike like her parents. She should have eloped with the boy. Eventually, the parents would have agreed. Yes, the father fell ill at one point, but it was all just a phase. She got married to the guy for her parents, and then the marriage didn't work out. And at last, after 12 years, when the girl kissed the guy in front of his parents, nothing happened? Yes, the parents were furious, but given the previous meetings of her parents and the guy, I thought they would get triggered again, but no. They got upset, but still they didn't say anything. Or maybe they did. The author stated the epilogue afterward. At the end, the girl's parents’ protest felt futile, pointless, even though it was the biggest hurdle in their love story. Maybe I wanted closure. Something after the kiss. Not the epilogue including their son.



LACK OF POETRY INTENSITY

Maybe I am focusing on the negative so much, but this is how I felt. It was good for a light reader, but I wanted intensity. The author lacked poetic intensity in the writing. Yes, it's realistic, but sometimes people want to run away from reality too. I can't read about an emotionless boyfriend after being with one emotionless boyfriend. Yes, he has emotions, but it was not well conveyed. There was a scene where he fell off his balcony because she was hallucinating her. Even at that point, I felt nothing for the guy. Is something wrong with me? I felt no emotional depth of the character and felt no emotional connection.


FEMALE POV AND MALE GAZE

I also wanted the female's point of view. But I guess it was something that male authors can't do. All the books that I have read so far have been by female authors, and they have nailed the male point of view. They are the reason why I fell in love with the male point of view in the first place. In this book, the author tried to understand the female protagonist, but it was from the male gaze. Again, no emotions there too. At some places, it felt like mocking, I guess. He discussed the female like an unsolved or never-solvable enigma. I don't know how to feel about it.


CONCLUSION

Overall, this book is suitable for light reading, especially if you enjoy Chetan Bhagat's casual style and light humor. But for someone like me, who loves emotional intensity, deep character exploration, and poetic storytelling, it fell short. While I appreciated the fun elements and the attempt at realism, I wished for stronger emotions, deeper connections, and more agency for the female protagonist.

[Emm Bee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked up 12 Years because I was in the mood for a light and uncomplicated read, and in that sense the book did exactly what I expected. The writing is simple and very easy to settle into, which made the reading experience smooth and quick. I appreciate books that do not demand too much mental energy when I want something relaxed, and this one fit that space well.

The story follows two people trying to navigate a complicated relationship stretched across years and different phases of their lives. It also touches on a few themes that are not very common in mainstream Indian romance. I actually liked that the book attempted to bring in topics that are usually avoided or glossed over, because stories like this are rare. I kept wishing the narrative went a little deeper into these spaces, because that could have created unique situations and added something genuinely refreshing to the romance scene in Indian writing.

There were moments where I thought I would finally settle into the emotional arc, but the scenes moved on before I could fully connect with them. I kept hoping for that one moment that would really pull me in, make me root for the characters, or feel their conflict in a meaningful way, but it never fully arrived for me. It left me wanting a little more depth and a little more heart.

For me, 12 Years stayed on the lighter side of romance. It was easy to read and easy to move through, and that is a strength in its own way. It simply did not leave a strong emotional imprint once I finished. Still, it worked as a gentle and straightforward read at a time when I wanted something simple.

[siddhant. · Rating 3 out of 5]

12 Years: My Messed Up Love Story marks Chetan Bhagat’s return to romance after his three-book stint in mystery/thriller. The book follows Saket (34) and Priya (22), who shouldn’t be together because the societal handbook doesn’t approve of their 12 years age difference. In the quintessential Chetan Bhagat fashion their love story finds itself in a tempestuous situation when the girl’s overtly conservative Jain family gets involved. Torn between what they want and the societal expectations, they must navigate the eternal questions relating to love.

In what has always made Chetan’s work a page turner, the book features characters and dilemmas that hit close to home. People you know in real life, situations you have found yourself in. Chetan shines when he goes on a tirade against the hypocrisy of Indian society. Although the book features a GenZ protagonist barring the occasional GenZ lingo dropped here and there, it stirs away from exploring the modern love dynamics. Which to me seemed like a missed opportunity.


If you like me grew up reading Chetan Bhagat. It breaks no new ground but delivers what the fans have come to expect and enjoy for years now: a simple read that makes you laugh, makes you question, and occasionally makes you think. All this while reinforcing, Hindi filmon ki tarah ant main sab kuch accha ho jata hai :)

[bong_bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

12 Years by Chetan Bhagat is a poignant love story that weaves together laughter, tears, and the essence of classic Hindi movie drama. The narrative revolves around Saket and Payal, who navigate their relationship despite 12-years age gap.
The book delves into themes in Indian society, including the nature of societal expectations, generational divides, and the complexities of class and caste structures.
The chemistry between Saket and Payal showcase an effortless connection that resonates with readers. While the romance itself may not be groundbreaking, their compatibility is portrayed with a sincerity that makes it emotionally engaging. The narrative captures the imperfect and chaotic energy often found in real relationships, making it relatable to many.
However, I found certain aspects of the book to be repetitive and laden with unnecessary melodrama. I still believe that for beginners looking to explore Indian romantic comedies, this book offers an accessible entry point into the genre.

[Baani]

I wanted a palate cleanser between heavy reads and picked it up. Chetan is like dominos pizza - carbs cheap cheese cheap fast food et al but it does hit the spot lol. I enjoyed this book - v quick read and I love how its written in a way that its engaging to read but you also know while reading that iski movie toh abhi ban jayegi literally the screenplay is fully ready. I was already thinking of the movie visuals. Chetan knows what sells and I think without needing to be a purist or an art appreciator of literature blah blah, I can confidently say that selling to masses stuff thats not even trashy but genuinely interesting to all categories of readers - now thats an art for me. This guy is damn smart and not in a manipulative way but genuinely brilliant. I will look forward to the movie :) Ayushmann Khurana as Saket and Tamanna Bhatia as Payal could be nice lol. Or Arjun Kapoor and Alia Bhatt the 2 states pair - theyd also suit this well. 😅

[Bhiju · Rating 2 out of 5]

When the book title was revealed, it already sparked controversies among readers because of the significant age gap, but I trusted and believed Chetan Bhagat would do justice to it. But… really?

The book tried its best to explore love, loss, and second chances through the story of Saket Khurana, a 33-year-old stand-up comedian trying to rebuild his life after a painful divorce, and Payal Jain, a 21-year-old corporate professional who unexpectedly enters his world—A premise I thought had the potential to be both refreshing and mature. But unfortunately, the execution feels disappointingly outdated.

We’re in 2025, yet the writing seems trapped in the 2010s. The story follows Bhagat’s familiar formula—predictable twists, exaggerated emotions, and relationship conflicts that feel recycled from his older works. You can almost foresee every major turn within the first few chapters.

There were small moments I liked—bits of emotion, glimpses of friendship—but beyond that, the book barely offers anything fresh.

What bothered me most was how the female lead was written. The tone often slipped into sexism, focusing more on role plays reducing her to a shallow traits than real emotional depth. A sprinkle would’ve worked, but this felt like an overdose. Maybe some readers enjoy this, but it’s not for me.

Payal? Nah. She’s Pagal.

It felt like the author was trying too hard to impress Gen Z, throwing in modern terms and relationship jargon like sugar babies and sugar daddy. I’m not against these kinds of relationships; it’s their personal choice. But here for me, it just didn’t work. The age gap starts at 33 vs 21, but by halfway, he’s 45 chasing women in their early 20s. In the context of this novel, It’s hard not to question: Is he really a pedophile?

The climax? Ciichéd, and exactly what you’d expect. Chetan Bhagat was once the author who got many of us into reading, but this book made me feel like his stories haven’t grown with time.

Give it a try! Reading experiences are subjective—what resonates with me may not with you, and vice versa. 💭

[Mugdha Mahajan · Rating 2 out of 5]

He is a 33-year-old divorced stand-up comic who is tired of failing in love and life. She is a 21-year-old girl from a strict Jain family, focused on studies and career. They meet by accident, argue, fight and slowly fall for each other. But the age gap, families and society keep causing problems. They try moving on. They try forgetting. Yet every time, destiny brings them back together. Months turn into years and they still don’t get a clear answer. After twelve long years, one last choice stands in front of them. Will love win or will reality break them again?

Honestly, the story felt too stretched and repetitive. Some emotional scenes worked, but many parts felt forced. The age-gap romance felt uncomfortable and not handled maturely. Characters lacked depth and I could not connect with them. Writing was simple, but not memorable. It had a good idea, but weak execution. It was average read for me.

[Nidhi Pant · Rating 2 out of 5]

Such a below average book, and Chetan Bhagat’s writing is just going bad over the years. It’s a breezy read, with easy language as always but clearly no storyline- looks like he’s writing books so that someone can create Bollywood movie that too nothing new out of it.

Have it a 2 , maybe it was just worth a 1. Very disappointing !!

[Sk Arefin Ahamed · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally! After 12 hours of binge reading Chetan Bhagat's latest novel I can say I enjoyed it. Though not more than 'The three mistakes of my life'. You will laugh more often than not because the narrator, Saket, is a stand up comic as a result you will encounter numerous jokes & one liners throughout the novel. The language is pretty simple like his other novels, so its an easy read. The story is typical and okayish, not great. It revolves around Saket and Payal who are from contrasting backgrounds, different life experiences and they fall in love with each other. The story focuses a lot on their career paths & I am sure IITians and MBAs will like it. For me the ending could have been better and not filmy. I would recommend to anyone who are looking for easy read and time pass.

[Nikita Baliga · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

I’m yet to read a Chetan Bhagat book that I 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯’𝘵 binge-read. His writing is so lucid, simple and engaging.

𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲:
He’s 33, a struggling comic. She’s 21, a rising star in private equity.
He’s divorced & Punjabi. She’s never dated and comes from a conservative Jain family.
They’re complete opposites yet can’t stay apart. Is it just chemistry, or something deeper?

One of the best things about Chetan’s books is that you get to experience romance from a 𝘮𝘢𝘯’𝘴 point of view. You rarely get to read a hero’s perspective in most romance novels, let alone one written by a male author! And the fact that it’s set in my home country, mostly Mumbai, made it even more enjoyable!

I also have to applaud Chetan for writing a story that many Indian readers might find unconventional. Age gap, religion, societal pressure - these are still sensitive topics here. But he handles them with grace, using humor that’s never disrespectful. He doesn’t villainize anyone - he just shows people as they are, with empathy and realism.

The story spans twelve years, following Saket and Payal - 2 people deeply in love but kept apart by family, age, and society. I loved how Chetan portrayed both sides, Payal’s parents and best friend dismissing her feelings as fascination, and Saket’s best friend insisting it’s just attraction. It felt so real and logical that even I started to question whether it was truly love.

Saket fascinated me. His self-awareness and honesty about his flaws were refreshing. A 33-year-old divorced stand-up comic isn’t an ideal match for most families - and he knows it. Yet his emotions and vulnerability make you root for him all the way.

I must admit, though, I didn’t feel the same emotional depth from Payal. She explains her choices later, but I still wish she’d fought harder or given Saket some closure. I get that she was young and from a conservative background, but her actions left me a little frustrated.

Romantic, emotional, bingeable read that I absolutely recommend!