Finding Our Forever is a frenemies-to-lovers, slow burn office romance about second chances, undeniable chemistry and the love that refuses to stay buried.
She’s sworn off men. He’s done with the idea of forever. But fate has other plans.
Ruhi Sharma has always been the responsible elder daughter, a corporate star who has built her life around control, duty and quiet strength. Until one solo trek that leads her straight to a man who is everything she has read about but never planned for—hot, grounded, and far too good to be true, who makes her believe that maybe, just maybe, forevers do exist outside her romance books, but then proves her wrong. She swears to hate him. But fate brings them face-to-face again.
Samar Malhotra, the charming yet guarded COO of a leading tech unicorn, walks into his office and meets the woman who vanished with his heart, two years ago, without a word. The problem? She is even more beautiful and gets under his skin without even trying. And now, she’s in his orbit all day, testing his restraint. Every word unravels the distance he’s trying to keep. He is her boss, after all, and she doesn’t even like him.
They promise to stay professional. But the sparks? Can set the office on fire. Can two people who stopped believing in love find their forever in each other?
3.75⭐️ When I started this book, it instantly pulled me in. The lines: "Looking at her is like someone has reached inside me and pressed play on a memory I never stopped living." had me down on my knees for the story ahead. with that being said, the portion of 15%-45% kinda pulled me out of the story because the inner monologue of the characters felt a bit too repetitive. But after that, when we get to know the past, it definitely pulls me back in. the past was cute. it was fun and really nice to follow along. I highly appreciate that we didn't get the past in bits but as a whole. It's rare and I highly appreciated that because sometimes my mind cannot handle the constant change. The spice was so not expected and omg😳. Samar was an adorable MMC and I loved the emotional depth in Ruhi as an FMC.
'Me: Reached? His reply comes instantly. Samar: Yes, ma’am.'
'She squeezes my hand, cutting me mid-sentence, ‘Everything else can be managed, but you don’t fall in love every day.’ No. You don’t. But I do—every damn day. With her. Every time I see her, hear her voice, read her name on my laptop screen, it happens again.'
Finding Our Forever by Manisha Vashist is a slow-burn office romance that brings together Ruhi Sharma - a responsible, career-driven woman who only falls for fictional men and has sworn off real ones, and Samar Malhotra, the charming yet guarded COO who no longer believes in forever. Two years after a chance encounter during a solo trek that ended in heartbreak and misunderstanding, fate throws them back into each other’s lives. Now working side by side, their polite professionalism masks an undeniable chemistry - one that threatens to reignite old feelings and spark something neither of them expected.
From the moment I started, I was hooked. Ruhi’s careful control over her life and Samar’s quiet strength made me root for them from page one. I saw myself in Ruhi’s desire to keep everything planned and worry-free. When her past collides with Samar’s hidden hurt, their dynamic felt very real - full of tension, attraction, and shared moments that made my heart skip.
I am a sucker for office romances. Watching them navigate workplace rules, together in meetings or during casual office banter, I devoured the gradual build-up of sparks. The dialogue is playful but never forced, letting me sense both characters’ fears and hopes. Their emotional journey - moving from sworn enemies to quiet confidants - felt natural and meaningful. I often found myself smiling, sighing, or even holding my breath, eager for their next conversation.
That said, I sometimes felt their inner monologues were a tad repetitive. While introspection adds depth, a few sections lingered too long on similar thoughts, which slightly slowed the pacing for me.
Overall, Finding Our Forever is a gentle yet engaging rom‑com that celebrates second chances, slow-burning chemistry, and the courage to open your heart. If you enjoy cozy office romances with depth and warmth, this book will leave you smiling long after the last page.
This book 'Finding our forever' featuring our sweethearts Ruhi and Samar feels like a warm hug, comforting, snuggy and blissful.
Oh my gosh! I can't even begin with how much I've giggled throughout the book, gushed at their chemistry firing up my Kindle and obviously, how many times I've nodded at Ruhi's book girlies habits. So damn relatable! And, true to her expectations, her frenemy is the one to sweep her off her feet in the most unrealistic yet heart- swooning way possible. Their journey from the first panoramic meet at the mountains, a subtle misunderstanding leading to a crack, to a witty, yet quirky workplace romance blew this book off!!!
Apart from their mind-boggling romance and sizzling chemistry, I became a fan of Ruhi's courage, Samar's patience and love, Sohi's playful childishness, Devansh's charms and obviously, her mother's endurance. It was a complete package and I am in love with the author's immaculate writing. It's funny, sarcastic, and soooo gripping!!! ✨❤️ A must feel-good romance read.
Let's talk about how this book completely wrecked me into so many pieces!! This was supposed to be a cute romance with spice, right?? RIGHT???? But NO, the author decided to drop emotional bombs and I COULDN'T STOP CRYING!! Some scenes were beautifully written where I had happy tears but at few places, it was RAW, UNGUARDED and UNHINGED cry!! LITERAL CRY!!!
I love this book more than the other 2 books cause the FMC is a chai addict like me!! She is the elder daughter who has to be strong for her family
Things the MMC does subtly without asking!!! I AM ON MY KNEES TO CHANGE MY PROPHECY FOR THIS MAN!!! GIVE ME HIM!!!
And totally relating on the FMC when she always mentions that REAL MEN CANNOT OVERTAKE THE FICTIONAL ONE!! And yet she got her real man who is fictional to us, so ig that counts too!!
If you are someone who thinks Indian Authors cannot write romance, pick this book and this book will prove you how wrong you are!!
I went into Finding Our Forever with such high expectations, and honestly? It didn’t disappoint. This story is soft, emotional and full of the kind of longing that sits warm in your chest long after you close the book.
Ruhi completely had my heart. Her resilience, the way she holds herself together even when she’s quietly breaking, felt so painfully real. She says, “I was apparently the strong one. So, I became strong… Even when all I wanted was to curl up and cry, I held it in.” It’s the kind of line that makes you stop and breathe because you’ve been there too.
And Samar, the man who doesn’t believe in forever. “I was done with the idea of finding my forever. Because nothing like that exists. Or so I thought.” He walks into the story with his walls up, but still manages to be the guy every girl dreams of: steady, patient, quietly protective. The kind of man who doesn’t talk loudly about love but shows it in a thousand small ways.
Their first meeting left Ruhi holding onto dreams she never lets herself believe in: “Just for seventy-two reckless, delusional hours—that maybe the world could actually be a romance novel.” And even after heartbreak, she keeps turning to the worlds that feel safer: “Why settle for mediocre reality when I can binge a better version between the pages?” But then comes the moment that breaks her: “Maybe this is what I needed; a reality check. A reminder that fairytales don’t belong to girls like me.”
What I loved most is how Samar slowly becomes everything she never thought she could have. “He makes me want things I’ve never dared to want… he makes me bold in ways I never thought I could be.” And the tenderness of this line? I melted: “He makes me the girl who wants to jump up and be wrapped around his waist right now despite knowing anyone could walk in.”
She sees him for who he truly is, the man who shows up without needing credit: “How do you hate someone who cares without saying a word? Who’s always there, the first to offer his hand when you fall… who quietly makes space for you in a world that doesn’t even notice when you’re slipping.”
Samar’s acceptance of his own feelings is so soft too: “Because honestly? Fighting it takes more energy than accepting it. So I’ve surrendered.”
And as someone who loves slow burns myself, Ruhi’s love for stories made her instantly relatable: “She reads and loves the ache of slow burns, the promise of meant-to-be that refuses to die… the way stories make her life feel better, more magical, more possible.”
The only reason this book isn’t a full 5 stars for me is just a personal one, love at first sight has never been my favourite trope. But that’s a me-thing, not a storytelling flaw.
Because the ending? Oh my heart. “I realise love doesn’t arrive with fanfare or grand gestures. It seeps in slowly, fills the quiet spaces, and stays. Forever.”
A tender, hopeful romance that reminds you that sometimes the quietest loves are the ones that stay. 💛✨
This adorable romance novel has it all - instant attraction, misunderstandings, and a sweet happily-ever-after. The story follows an instant attraction between two captivating characters, thrown together by fate on a memorable trip. Two years of misunderstandings and pent-up emotions lead to a sizzling office romance that'll leave you swooning.
The heroine's journey from a painful past to a hopeful future is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Her strength and resilience are admirable, but it's her vulnerability and gradual opening up to love that truly stole my heart. The hero's patience and understanding are the perfect counterbalance to her fears and trust issues, making their love story all the more believable and swoon-worthy.
With supportive families and a sweet happily-ever-after, this heartwarming tale is a perfect blend of love, laughter, and warmth. The chemistry between the leads is palpable, making their journey to the altar a joy to behold. If you're looking for a lightweight, feel-good read that'll leave you smiling, look no further!
This romance novel is more than just a love story - it's a testament to the power of healing, trust, and second chances. The way he supports her, respects her boundaries, and is there for her through thick and thin is a dream come true. A perfect match made in heaven, and their story will leave you believing in love again.
This book tells the story of Samar and Ruhi two people who meet, fall in love and then drift apart when life takes an unexpected turn. Years later they meet again, this time as boss and employee. Samar is still deeply in love with Ruhi and wants to win her back but Ruhi is in her corporate era and wants nothing to do with him. It’s a classic friends-to-enemies-to-lovers story.
Talking about the characters - Ruhi is a incredibly resilient woman. As the eldest daughter, she carries the weight of her family on her shoulders and wants to give the world to her mother and sister meanwhile healing her own wounds. Samar on the other hand, is gentle, patient, and full of love. He has a soft heart and always makes sure to be there for those who need him.
Both characters are broken in their own ways, slowly healing, finding themselves, and ultimately finding each other again. Samar’s love is Ruhi’s home the place she runs to every day while Ruhi’s love is home for Samar the place where he truly grew up.
The first half of the story has everything a hardcore romance reader craves: a slow burn, enemies-to-lovers tension, intense chemistry, and swoon-worthy moments. The second half beautifully portrays returning to what is meant for you and beginning a well-earned happily-ever-after. The first half was my personal favorite—I finished it in one sitting.
Overall, this book is beautiful and leaves you with a dreamy, satisfying happy ending.
4.5 but rounded to 5! Ruhi and Samar completely stole my heart. Their shared secret from the past added the perfect layer of tension, especially once fate pushed them into working together again. The banter? On point. The chemistry? Slow-burn perfection. These two are such strong, grounded characters on their own, but watching them soften for each other—and become this effortlessly genuine, swoon-worthy match—was everything. This is the third book I’ve read in this interconnected series, and honestly? Each installment just gets better and better. I’m fully hooked and already looking forward to reading even more from this author.
Okay, first of all can we talk about how amazing the FMC is? Bold, strong, and actually has a voice in her workplace. Loved that she wasn't the quiet, submissive type. Ruhi walks in like she owns the room and I loved that energy. The office setting was perfectly on point and the atmosphere felt like I was right there watching everything unfold live. And the chemistry between the leads? Literally fire. Every scene between Ruhi and Samar was loaded with spark, attitude and that slow-burn heat that keeps you turning pages. I swear, half the time I was internally screaming “JUST KISS ALREADY!” 😭🙏🏻
Overall, it was super entertaining and definitely worth picking up for you all!
There’s a particular kind of silence that settles in after you close a soft romance—the kind that doesn’t rush you back into the world, but asks you to sit still for a moment. Finding Our Forever left me in that silence. Not loud. Not dramatic. Just quietly present, like a cup of tea gone lukewarm because you forgot to drink it while lost in thought.
I went into this book the way I often do: with my expectations tucked neatly away. No hype, no pressure, no assumptions about what the story should deliver. And maybe that’s why this narrative unfolded so gently for me. It didn’t try to dazzle. It chose to linger.
At its heart, this is a second-chance, workplace slow burn—but what stood out wasn’t the trope itself, it was the emotional afterimage it left behind. The story moves between a “before” and an “after,” and that structural choice adds a quiet depth. It mirrors real life, where we’re often split between who we were when we believed in things easily, and who we become after experience edits that belief.
Ruhi Sharma is instantly familiar in the most human way. She is the kind of woman who learned to be strong because someone had to be. The kind who carries responsibility so long it starts to feel like identity. Her love for romance novels isn’t escapism—it’s survival. Books allow her to imagine a world that feels softer than the one she’s learned to manage. Watching her move through this narrative feels like watching someone carefully unwrap a part of themselves they had sealed away for safety.
Samar Malhotra, on the other hand, is restraint personified. Guarded, composed, quietly observant. He’s not written to overwhelm the page; he occupies it steadily. There’s something compelling about a character who doesn’t announce his emotions but lets them leak through small moments—pauses, choices, silences. He doesn’t believe in forever, not because he’s cynical, but because experience taught him not to promise what might not last.
When these two collide again, years after a brief but intense connection, the tension isn’t explosive—it’s taut. Like a stretched thread you’re afraid to touch. Their first reunion in the office carries weight not because of what’s said, but because of everything that isn’t. The narrative understands that sometimes longing doesn’t shout. It waits.
The prose is clean, accessible, and emotionally attuned. It doesn’t drown in ornamentation, but it knows when to slow down and let a moment breathe. The pacing mirrors the emotional arc—unhurried, occasionally indulgent, but mostly intentional. Yes, a few stretches feel slightly extended, but they also reinforce the slow-burn nature of the love story. This is not a race to resolution; it’s a walk toward understanding.
What I appreciated most is the maturity of the characters. There’s no unnecessary melodrama, no exaggerated conflict for shock value. These are adults with wounded hearts trying to do the right thing while carrying unresolved emotion. The yearning between them is palpable because it’s restrained. It simmers instead of boiling over, and that restraint gives the emotion its impact.
The story circles around emotions we think we already know—learning to trust after being let down, growing into versions of ourselves we once hesitated to become, and daring to reach for something we told ourselves we no longer needed. What makes it work is the honesty with which these ideas are explored. There’s a quiet cinematic familiarity to the emotional landscape, reminiscent of Hindi films that linger on self-discovery rather than spectacle. It’s less about dramatic turns and more about that gentle warmth you feel while watching characters choose themselves, take emotional risks, and believe—reluctantly, slowly—that life can still surprise them.
Reading this book felt like sitting beside someone who doesn’t offer grand advice, but listens. The emotional impact isn’t immediate fireworks; it’s the slow realization that love doesn’t always arrive loudly. Sometimes it settles into the quiet corners of your life and refuses to leave.
If you enjoy romance that prioritizes feeling over frenzy, characters over chaos, and emotional honesty over spectacle, this book will likely resonate. It’s warm, comforting, and reflective—ideal for a reader who wants to feel held rather than hurried.
I closed Finding Our Forever with the sense that some stories aren’t meant to sweep you off your feet. They’re meant to remind you that even after disappointment, the heart still knows how to hope.
Finding Our Forever is a beautifully crafted frenemies-to-lovers, slow-burn office romance that delivers far more than chemistry it delivers healing, tension, emotional depth, and a deeply satisfying exploration of second chances. This is the kind of book that reminds you why romance exists: not just for butterflies, but for the ache, the growth, the longing, and the rediscovery of love when you’ve almost given up on it.
Ruhi Sharma, the responsible elder daughter and corporate achiever, is a heroine you instantly root for. She has built her life around control, balance, and doing everything “right,” which makes her unexpected encounter during her solo trek all the more magical. Samar enters her life as the kind of man she only reads about—kind, grounded, irresistibly charming—but reality shatters that illusion. The heartbreak is quiet but piercing, the kind that changes a person from the inside. And Ruhi changes too. She moves forward, she grows, she hardens… until fate brings him back into her life in the most inconvenient way possible.
Samar Malhotra, the guarded COO who carries his own set of emotional scars, is written with tenderness and restraint. He is not the typical arrogant office hero—he is warm, disciplined, and afraid to believe in love again. His reaction to seeing Ruhi after two years shock, longing, frustration, and the struggle to stay professional creates the perfect setup for a slow-burn dynamic that feels real, messy, and addictively intense.
Their banter? Sharp. Their tension? Electric. Their chemistry? Off the charts without ever needing to be loud.
The author does a brilliant job balancing romance with emotional authenticity. The pacing never drags, every chapter adds something new to their journey, and the dual internal conflicts Ruhi’s fear of getting hurt again and Samar’s fear of losing control make their bond all the more believable. Watching them rediscover each other, confront the past, and slowly let their walls crumble is deeply satisfying.
The book shines in its details: ✨ The corporate setting feels real, not forced ✨ The slow burn is steady and delicious ✨ The emotional beats land exactly where they should ✨ The second-chance angle is handled with maturity ✨ The character arcs feel complete and earned
By the time the final chapters arrive, you’re not just invested—you’re rooting for their forever with your whole heart.
If you love: Second chances Slow burn tension Office romance Emotional depth Characters who feel painfully real
…then Finding Our Forever is exactly the kind of book you’ll devour in one sitting and think about long after you’re done.
A heartfelt, engaging, and beautifully written romance. Highly recommended for anyone who believes that even the most guarded hearts can find their way back to love.
This book didn’t just steal my heart—it moved in, changed the locks, and cranked up the music. Finding Our Forever by Manisha Vashist isn’t your run-of-the-mill romance. It’s nostalgia, longing, and the kind of slow-burn tension that makes you want to scream at the page. There’s so much chemistry between these characters, I’m pretty sure they could power half the city if they tried.
Now, Ruhi and Samar’s first meeting? Forget cute. It’s iconic. Ruhi steps in, saves a woman from an assault, lands a solid hit on the guy, and takes off—only to get punched herself. And who does she literally stumble into, battered and dazed? Samar Malhotra, looking unfairly good, with his friend rolling up right on cue. It’s pure chaos and pure fate, all at once.
From that wild start to the slow-burn, loaded-with-feelings reunion, Ruhi and Samar are THE couple. Gym couple, trekking couple, business couple—they’re killing it everywhere. In the gym, there’s this charged energy, him noticing every little thing she tries to hide. On the mountain, everything feels new and soft and full of hope. And at work… don’t even get me started on the boss-employee, HR-would-have-a-fit slow burn.🥵
Ruhi—eldest daughter energy, always holding the world on her back, with softness she tucks away for no one to see. She walks like she doesn’t need help, but honestly, she deserves the stars. She’s so real it hurts.
And then there’s Samar. Calm on the outside, stormy on the inside, picking up on every flicker in Ruhi’s mood. He pays attention to everything she never says, and when he loves, it’s steady, gentle, and just a little bit heartbreaking.
Their chemistry?🔥 It’s wild. It’s the “we’re both pretending everything’s fine but actually we’re falling apart inside” kind of vibe. Slowest burn ever, but somehow it’s still blazing hot. The glances, the gym scene—I swear I almost levitated.
The story slides between past and present without missing a beat. There are these tender, mountain-trek flashbacks, then all the raw, awkward office moments. They heal, mess up, love in quiet ways, and somehow, keep finding each other—messy and beautiful and totally believable.
By the end, I wasn’t ready to close the book. I didn’t just love the story. I loved them. Samar and Ruhi could show up in hiking boots, business suits, or gym shorts and still leave everyone else in the dust.
If you’ve ever loved someone quietly, taken your time to heal, or felt way too much for your own good—this book gets it. It’s your soft spot.
"Kabhi kabhi jeetne ke liye kuch haarna padta hai… aur kabhi kabhi pyaar ke liye kuch khoya hua wapas paana padta hai."
Arre yaar… I don’t even know how to react about how much this book touched & moved me. Finding Our Forever has literally stole my heart. From the very first page the eight o'clock I was hooked. Ruhi Sharma felt so real like that girl in all my bookish dreams who is ambitious, soft hearted, thodi si clumsy aur secretly hoping someone like Samar Malhotra exists in real life. And Samar… Uff! Hye! Calm, steady, charming in the simplest way. Actually he is kind of man who shows up exactly when it matters.
This story is pure slow burn, second chance romance. I laughed, I cried, I swooned… kabhi heart literally hurt aur kabhi butterflies over every scene. Ruhi and Samar meet on a trip, everything seems magical, aur phir ek misunderstanding sab kuch tod deti hai. Two years later, fate plot they meet again in the most awkward yet exciting way. Ruhi as part of the office team and Samar as her COO. The tension, the little fights, the side glances I could feel every moment in my heart.
Honestly, some moments gave me pure butterflies like Jab We Met. The scenes of forced proximity, witty banter aur slow building chemistry took me of Hum Tum. What a perfect mix of comedy, romance aur mandatory tension. Also there were moments that hit me in the chest like Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. I felt that love can hurt so beautifully, yaar. 🔥
Manisha writes in a way that’s so simple yet emotional. Characters feel alive, their feelings hit you, aur the office background plus the frenemies to lovers tension. I could relate to it completely. Additionally some parts from her other books feels like reminding the old friends to me which is so comforting!
I didnt felt to say "Finished" when I turned the last page. I actually felt that I didn’t just finish a book I finished two souls who stole a piece of my heart. Ruhi and Samar’s story is about destiny, second chances, aur choti choti quiet moments where love speaks without words. It made me laugh, cry, aur feel butterflies all in one page. Honestly, this book makes you believe love happens exactly when it’s supposed to happen.
Agar aap hopeless romantic ho, slow burn office romance pasand karte ho, ya bas believe karte ho ki love will find you in the most unexpected way please read this book. Pyaar ho jayegaa. 💖
🎬 Bollywood Vibes Jab We Met, Hum Tum, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil
💛 4.5 stars - A gentle, heart-warming, healing romance
Finding Our Forever is one of those books that sneaks up on you quietly and then refuses to leave your heart. It’s soft, emotional, beautifully paced, and filled with the kind of tenderness we don’t see enough of in contemporary romance.
This isn’t a loud, dramatic story. It’s a healing story slow, warm, intimate, and deeply character-driven. And I loved it.
💔 Ruhi & Samar: Two Souls Who Needed Each Other
Ruhi instantly became one of my favourite FMCs. She’s gentle, soft-spoken, and carries invisible bruises that hurt more than she’ll ever admit. Reading her journey felt like watching someone slowly remember their own worth. My heart tugged for her so many times. 😭💗
And then there’s Samar… Brooding, grief-worn, emotionally guarded — but never cruel. He’s the kind of MMC who doesn’t know how to express love, yet his actions scream it louder than words.
💡 Tiny spoiler-ish hint: The way Samar stands up for Ruhi when her own people don’t? That scene gave me TEARS and BUTTERFLIES at the same time. 🥺🦋 Not a huge spoiler, but yes he protects her before he even realises he’s fallen for her.
🏡 Found Family: The Softest Part of the Book
Samar’s family deserves their own book, honestly. Their warmth, their acceptance, the way they just take Ruhi in without question it’s everything she’s ever needed and never got. Those scenes were pure comfort. 🤍
🌶️ Spice Level
Low spice but high emotional intimacy. This book proves that a hand on your back, a quiet “you’re safe here,” and a lingering glance can be hotter than a dozen explicit scenes. 🌙🔥
🌟 What I Loved
✔ The slow, soothing pace ✔ The emotional depth ✔ Samar’s protective softness ✔ Ruhi’s healing arc ✔ The supportive family dynamics ✔ The chemistry that builds through small moments
✨ What Could’ve Been Better
I wanted a bit more conversation between Ruhi and Samar during the conflict. They’re both quiet people, which makes sense, but a few extra emotionally heavy dialogues would’ve made the payoff even stronger.
💬 Final Thoughts
If you love romances that feel like: ☕ a warm cup of chai on a rainy evening 🌧 healing after a long heartbreak 💛 two broken people choosing softness over fear
then Finding Our Forever will absolutely melt you.
It’s not dramatic. It’s not spicy. It’s gentle, slow, tender, and beautifully healing.
Highly recommended for anyone who loves emotional intimacy over physical spice. 🤍✨
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
ARC Review of "Finding Our Forever" by Manisha Vashist. Ratings ~ 4/5
“Finding Our Forever” by Manisha Vashist is an engaging, slow-burn office romance that ticks many boxes for fans of contemporary desi romance with authentic emotional depth. The story centres on Ruhi Sharma and Samar Malhotra, two characters with a complicated romantic past who are forced to work closely together again, bringing to life the charged tension and sweet moments of rediscovery.
What stands out is the author’s ability to not rush the romance, allowing the characters’ feelings to develop naturally—an aspect praised by readers who say it feels like a Bollywood rom-com come to life. The banter between the leads is sharp and witty, providing plenty of humour to balance the emotional weight of their unresolved history. There are many swoon-worthy moments, and the chemistry crackles on the page without ever feeling drained or forced.
The prose is simple yet immersive, striking a perfect balance between lightheartedness and emotional resonance. The story also highlights supporting characters beautifully, adding layers of richness beyond the main romance. The slow burn pacing means you stay hooked, invested in their journey from reluctant partners to something more profound.
The tropes include slow-burn romance, forced proximity (office romance), second chances, and a devoted male lead who admires the heroine deeply. The book is a heartfelt exploration of love, healing, and trust, resonating with anyone who has experienced complicated relationships and longings.
Rating it honestly, it earns a solid 4 out of 5 stars for its realistic emotions, vivid characters, and emotional warmth, with room to grow in plot originality. Fans of romance who appreciate thoughtful character arcs and relatable emotional struggles will find themselves smiling and tearing up in equal measure.
Manisha Vashist deserves praise for crafting a tale that doesn’t just entertain but feels like a conversation between you and the characters—honest, heartfelt, and sprinkled with humor. It’s a great pick if you want a romance that feels alive and balances laughter with longing seamlessly.
"Some loves don’t rush in—they gently settle, quietly claiming the space between fear and hope."
Finding Our Forever is one of those rare romances that feels less like a book and more like an emotional experience. It is soft, emotional, and so real in the way it shows two people who didn’t want love, but somehow kept choosing each other without even meaning to.
Ruhi Sharma is a character who touched me in the softest way. She’s the elder daughter who never allows herself to slip, the woman who carries responsibility like a second skin. Her mom and her sister were her first priority. She protects her heart fiercely, but you can still see the quiet tenderness she hides. And her description about fictional men? Absolutely perfect - so real, so relatable, so “this is exactly what we all feel.”
And then there is our Samar Malhotra - calm, collected, and painfully guarded. A man who notices everything. The way he sees her, truly sees her, is one of the most beautiful parts of the book. The tiny details - the way his eyes search for her in a room full of people, how he remembers the smallest things, how he pretends to stay calm when his heart is already falling apart - those moments hit hard. You can feel his love even when he’s silent(his thoughts aren't) & Ruhi, her heart reacts to him even when she tries to fight it. You can feel how both of them are falling, slowly and helplessly, as if some invisible thread keeps pulling them closer.
Their past and present blend beautifully. The trek where they first met feels warm and full of promise, while their reunion in the office is sharp, silent, and heavy with all the unsaid things. The slow burn between them is the kind that makes your heart twist - every glance, every argument, every almost-touch, carrying emotions they are both scared to admit.
What makes this story special is the rawness. Nothing is forced. They don’t magically fix things. They break, they pull back, they try again. Healing takes time. Trust takes time. And ‘true love’ comes back only when both hearts are ready.
If you love slow burn, second chances, workplace romance that feels raw, honest, and full of tiny moments that stay with you, this book will feel like home
I swear I opened it thinking I’d get a cute lil romance, a few blushes, some sweet moments - and suddenly I’m sitting there wiping tears like I’m the star of my own tragic film. This story did NOT wait. It just grabbed my feelings, threw them around, and walked away like “cope.”
Ruhi? OH MY GOD. That girl is so real, so chaotic, so soft, so strong - I wanted to jump into the pages and hug her every three chapters 😭✨ She has that eldest-daughter energy where she pretends everything is fine while silently drowning. And her tiny dramatic moments?? Her chai obsession?? Her emotional chaos wrapped in ambition?? Bestie I was POINTING at the book like “that’s literally me??” 💀☕️❤️
And SAMAR. Please. PLEASE. This man just EXISTED and my standards skyrocketed into space 🫣
He isn’t loud, he isn’t messy - he’s the calm, steady, emotionally dangerous type who ruins your whole concept of love without breaking a sweat. The way he notices things?? The way he cares silently?? The way he shows up EXACTLY when needed?? I was kicking my feet, squealing like an idiot, AND ALSO wanting to throw the book across the room because HOW IS HE NOT REAL 😭🔥🫠
Their slow burn had me suffering in the best way possible. Every room they shared had enough tension to set off fire alarms 😭🔥 The awkwardness, the longing, the “I’m totally fine” when they were NOT fine - I was screaming into a pillow. One moment butterflies, next moment heartbreak, next moment I’m giggling like a clown. PURE EMOTIONAL WHIPLASH.
And the workplace scenes??? Chaos. Authentic chaos. They were out here pretending like they’re professional adults while their entire past was practically SHOUTING behind them 💀💼✨ I was sweating for them. Why were they acting normal?! They were clearly seconds away from combusting.
The ending wrapped me in such a soft warm hug I almost cried AGAIN 🥺✨ It wasn’t dramatic, it wasn’t cheesy - it was the kind of ending that settles into your chest and stays. I literally closed the book and sat there like, “Wow. So this is what emotional damage with healing feels like.”
Bestie, this book didn’t just give romance. It gave CHAOS 😭 It gave BUTTERFLIES 😩🦋 It gave TEARS 😭 It gave DRAMA 🔥 It gave DESI COMFORT ❤️
And it left me looking at real life like… no thanks.
After Devesh & Akshara's fire, Samar & Ruhi take the floor and what follows can't be put into words You'll have to feel it yourself. Reading Ruhi and Samar's story feels like surrendering to a storm that refuses to pass. It begins with ache the hollow of waking to absence, the sting of overheard words that reduce intimacy to "casual fun." Yet beneath the heartbreak runs a thread of longing that never frays, a pull that insists on being felt.
What makes their journey unforgettable is its refusal to be simple. Love here is messy, tangled in family expectations, half-truths and the weight of old wounds. And still it is magnetic every silence, every stolen glance, every reckless kiss reminding us that some connections are too deep to be denied.
The beauty lies not in perfection but in persistence. They are inseparable not because they are flawless but because they keep choosing each other through chaos. The story lingers with nostalgia and ache yet also with the quiet certainty that love, when it is real, survives storms. What strikes me most is how this story refuses to stay confined to the page - it breathes, it aches & it unsettles Their relationship isn't drawn in broad strokes of passion alone; it is stitched with silences and the kind of vulnerability that feels dangerously real. The writing thrives on tension - not only in the heat of proximity but in the distance they keep dragging back into focus.
There is a rhythm here: fire and confession, followed by restraint, denial and the weight of their overthinking that offers comfort and desire. The prose is lush, cinematic, unapologetically intense - indulgent at times but that indulgence is precisely what makes it unforgettable.
What I admire most is the balance between Ruhi's inner monologues and Samar's perspective. Her vulnerability, her wit, her refusal to be "rescued" all of it makes her more than a romantic lead and Samar with his contradictions protective yet flawed, tender yet frustrating becomes the kind of character who forces us to ask whether love is salvation or undoing
I'm a sucker for enemies to lovers, but this was actually the first frenemies to lovers book and honestly? I didn't think I'd enjoy the dynamic this much. It's not the dramatic hatred I usually read, it's more like "we're both pretending we're fine but we're absolutely NOT fine." 😭😂 And that made the whole thing way more fun to read.
Ruhi, being the eldest daughter, hit a completely different nerve. You can literally feel that eldest daughter energy in the way she carries her family on her shoulders, stays responsible even when she's exhausted and refuses to let herself fall apart. She's independent, soft in hidden corners, and so relatable in the way she slips into the role everyone expects from her without ever asking for help. I liked her because she felt real, not some too perfect romance protagonist. 👏✨
Samar is the quiet storm type. Calm on the outside, thousands of thoughts on the inside. He notices everything, the small details, the changes in Ruhi's mood, the things she doesn't say. He doesn't make big romantic gestures, but the little things he does? Those land harder than any dramatic confession. 😍💖 Their whole "we're pretending we don't feel this" chemistry honestly made me grin like an idiot.
Their past and present overlap wonderfully, the first meeting during that trek feels warm and hopeful, like something that could've been so easy... and then their reunion in the office is full of unspoken tension and awkwardness. It's the slowest slow burn, glances, almost moments, small arguments that are clearly covering up bigger feelings👀 It builds so naturally that you don't even realize how invested you are until your stomach is flipping.
The story doesn't rush their healing either. There's no overnight fix, no sudden realization. They stumble, avoid conversations, get confused, try again. It's messy in the very normal way relationships are messy and that made their journey feel more believable. This is the first book I've read by this author and I want to read more
This book healed something inside me… and I honestly didn’t even realize I needed that healing. I’m so in love with this story. The writing is so beautiful, so soft, and so real that it doesn’t feel like you’re just reading a book it feels like you’re living it. The story is about Ruhi Sharma strong, independent, a little clumsy, ambitious, and a total book girl and Samar Malhotra calm, charming in the simplest way, and the kind of man who shows up exactly when it matters. They meet on a trek, and something about their connection just feels magical. A few conversations turn into feelings too deep to ignore… like one of those once-in-a-lifetime meetings. But misunderstandings pull them apart, and then fate brings them back together two years later this time as office coworkers, with Samar as the COO. From there, their story unfolds in the most awkward, exciting and beautiful way. What I loved most is how real everything feels. The characters don’t feel fictional they feel like people you could actually know. Even the side characters matter, as ruhi’s mothers story just broke my heart. And by the end, I didn’t know whether to smile or cry, because this book touched me in a way I didn’t expect. I laughed, I teared up, I felt butterflies… it really was an emotional roller coaster. It’s a slow-burn romance that makes your heart ache in the sweetest way. Manisha’s writing is simple, but it hits straight in the feels. Every emotion feels honest. Some moments reminded me of Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani during the trek scenes, and some had total ZNMD vibes. If you’ve watched those movies, you’ll know exactly what I mean when you read it. By the time I finished, it didn’t feel like I had just read a book. It felt like I had lived someone else’s love story. Ruhi and Samar’s journey is about destiny, second chances, and the quiet kind of love that doesn’t need words. This book made me believe again… that love really does find you when the time is right.
If you haven’t heard yet, Finding Our Forever is a slow-burn office romance with a frenemies-to-lovers twist that will steal your heart. From the very first chapters, Samar and Ruhi’s relationship is full of tension, playful clashes, and that unspoken connection that keeps you hooked. It’s not the typical CEO-intern story; it’s team lead and crew, grounded, realistic, and full of moments that simmer before they finally ignite.
What makes this story truly magical is the slow-burn romance. Both Samar and Ruhi feel everything long before they confess it, yet the story takes its time letting them understand themselves and each other. That careful pacing makes their eventual confession feel like a reward—the perfect culmination of all the quiet glances, small gestures, and subtle emotions that have been building.
Samar is easily one of my top book boyfriends. He isn’t dramatic or overbearing—he’s patient, thoughtful, and always attentive to Ruhi. From considering her comfort in every situation to making her choices and feelings a priority, he embodies the kind of love you don’t see often in novels. If I ever had a chance to marry a book boyfriend-level CEO or team lead, Samar would be the one—he’s simply perfection in thoughtfulness and care.
Ruhi is just as remarkable. Strong, confident, and independent, she carries herself with poise while also knowing how to let the right person walk beside her. Her balance of strength and vulnerability, her growth alongside Samar, and her quiet courage make her journey incredibly satisfying to witness. Watching their relationship evolve from friction and playful tension into something tender and mutual is pure magic.
Overall, Finding Our Forever is my favorite slow-burn, office, frenemies-to-lovers romance. It’s warm, intimate, and quietly powerful—a story of patience, understanding, and the subtle magic of two hearts choosing each other every day. For me, it’s a solid 5 out of 5 stars.
There’s something really comforting about a slow-burn romance that takes its time to settle into your heart, and Finding Our Forever did exactly that for me.
Ruhi is one of those FMCs you instantly relate to. She’s strong, responsible, emotionally guarded, and has spent most of her life putting everyone else first. The kind of woman who’s learned to survive on her own, even when she’s tired of being strong. Her love for books, her quiet dreams, and her hesitation to trust felt incredibly real.
And Samar… oh, Samar. Calm, patient, and emotionally restrained, yet deeply affected by Ruhi in ways he doesn’t want to admit. I loved how his feelings weren’t loud or dramatic; they were shown through consistency, restraint, and the way he always showed up for her, even when she pushed him away. He’s the kind of male lead who makes you believe in steady love.
Their dynamic is where the book truly shines. The tension, the unresolved past, the forced proximity at work; it all builds so naturally. The banter is fun, the silences are heavy, and the emotions simmer beneath every interaction. I really enjoyed how the story explored second chances and the idea that timing matters just as much as love.
What stood out to me most was how emotionally grounded the story felt. Ruhi’s struggles with responsibility, family expectations, and vulnerability were written with a lot of heart. The office romance angle added a nice layer of tension, and the slow burn made every soft moment feel earned.
That said, a few inner monologues felt slightly repetitive at times, and the pacing dipped briefly in the middle but it never took away from the emotional core of the story.
Overall, Finding Our Forever is a tender, comforting read about love that waits, heals, and grows quietly. It’s for anyone who enjoys slow-burn romance, emotionally mature characters, and stories that feel like a warm hug after a long day.
Thank you, @swipethebook.pr, for providing an ARC!
Ruhi is excited to start her new role as Associate Director of Strategy for a travel start-up. She’s built an impressive career in consulting and is ready to move into industry. Everything seems perfect...until she discovers that her new mentor is the one man who broke her heart.
Sahar has spent the last two years trying to find Ruhi, who left after only two days together, leaving behind a nasty letter. He hasn’t been able to forget her, so imagine his shock when they meet again on her first day.
Ruhi tries to pretend like nothing happened, focusing on work. But Sahar isn’t letting her off that easily. The spark between them is still there, and it doesn’t take long before feelings start creeping back in. Will they clear up the miscommunication and give love another shot?
I loved how confident Ruhi is at work. She knows her worth and isn’t afraid to show it, commanding attention with her smarts and straight-shooter attitude. That said, at times she did cross the line into seeming a tad arrogant. Still, seeing a strong woman excel in a male-dominated industry is always a win.
And Sahar… swoon. I kept picturing a jacked Sendhil Ramamurthy while reading, and I wasn’t mad about it. My heart broke a little when the full story of their miscommunication came out—lesson learned: never eavesdrop!
The book was a bit tricky for me to get into, especially during the work scenes. The industry-specific jargon felt heavy and sometimes pulled me out of the story.
This is the third book in the Forever series, but it can totally be read as a standalone.
For fans of: ⏳ Second chance | 💼 Coworkers to lovers | 🔥 Slow burn | 🏠 Forced proximity | 🌸 Desi rep
❤️ ARC read ❤️ This is the second book I've read from Manisha Vashist and I can say without a shred of doubt that she has become my favourite romance author. There is something about the way she writes that makes you hope and believe that you might also become one of her FMCs. While Akshara and Devesh brought me inside their whirlwind romance and made me feel all kinds of butterflies, Ruhi and Samar definitely had a certain realness to their love story to the point where I believed I might meet them one day on the street and not be surprised by it. I felt Ruhi was closer to my heart, since we both share certain life experiences. "Sometimes you become what you're expected to become. What's needed to survive. Not because that's who you are... or who you want to be" struck a little close to home. And probably that's the reason why this couple felt a little different to me - the FMC was more relatable to my life experience. (minus the gym part - Ruhi congrats to being so dedicated! - I couldn't for the life of me have that type of strict gym regime 🤣🤣🤣) However, I have to say this now or forever hold my peace: Manisha Vashist really knows how to create the type of men who fall madly in love, but who always offer the space for the FMC to acknowledge her feelings. Once that happens, 🫠🫠🫠 spicy moments incoming! Ruhi and Samar's slow-burn love story simply warms your heart during this cold season and keeps the hope for love alight. I also enjoyed the brief appearances of the two previous couples. It feels like even though you receive a certain conclusion with the ending of their books, the couples' adventures still continue and their love evolves and strengthens. It's a special characteristic of the author's fictional universe and one I look forward to reading about in a future book. I wonder which couple is next? Instagram @booksommelierxiii
Okay, so… I was NOT prepared for how attached I’d get to Finding Our Forever.
We have Ruhi, aka Miss Responsible + chai addict + romance-reader who doesn’t actually believe in love for herself. Then there is Samar, gym boy COO with broad shoulders and a heart that he pretends doesn’t care. They meet on a solo trek, things get intense, miscommunication happens, she walks away hurt, writes him that hate letter and decides men are cancelled.
Two years later life is like “lol no” and throws them into the same office.
From there it’s pure chaos in the best way. They’re professional on the outside, but every meeting, every little argument, every time he says “Ruhi” in that calm, controlled tone… you can feel how undone they are inside. The banter and one-liners are so sharp and genuinely funny, and then suddenly the author hits you with a vulnerable line that stings.
I loved:
how Ruhi’s ambition and soft heart are both shown, not just one side of her
how Samar isn’t the typical loud alpha; he’s quiet, intense, and very, very gone for her
the way their past keeps slipping into their present – that trek, that letter, those “we almost said it” moments
There were scenes where I wanted to shake them and yell “JUST TALK”, but that’s also what made the payoff so satisfying. When they finally start dropping their walls, it feels earned.
Also, the little details: Ruhi’s obsession with chai and fictional men, the Indian office set-up, Delhi vibes, the friends/colleagues around them – all of it made the world feel familiar and comforting.
If you’re in the mood for a slow burn that is equal parts funny, painful, and swoony, and you like second-chance plus enemies-ish vibes, this book is honestly such a good pick. It felt like watching two stubborn idiots slowly realise, “Oh. It’s always been you.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
As someone who absolutely lives for romance novels, Finding Our Forever felt like a warm hug to my heart. This is the kind of story that doesn’t just tell you about love — it makes you feel it. From the very first pages, I knew this book was going to be about emotions, longing, and the kind of love that grows quietly but deeply.
The slow burn is everything. Every glance, every unsaid word, every moment of tension had me holding my breath. Ruhi and Samar’s connection isn’t rushed or flashy — it’s layered, emotional, and filled with feelings that linger. This is exactly the kind of love story I crave: one where the build-up matters just as much as the confession.
What made this even more special for me was the second-chance and office romance dynamic. There’s something so beautiful about two people who once crossed paths, walked away, and then found their way back to each other when the timing was finally right. The emotional maturity, the hesitation, the fear of getting hurt again — all of it felt so real and relatable.
I loved how deeply the story focuses on healing and growth. The characters aren’t perfect, and that’s what makes them lovable. They carry their past with them, they struggle, and they slowly learn to open their hearts again. Watching them choose love — despite their fears — was incredibly satisfying and emotional.
By the time I reached the end, I wasn’t just reading a romance novel — I was emotionally invested. I smiled, I sighed, and I felt that familiar ache in my chest that only a good love story can give. Finding Our Forever reminded me why I love romance books so much: because they give us hope, comfort, and the belief that love always finds its way back.
If you adore slow burns, emotional depth, and love stories that feel soft yet intense, this book deserves a spot on your shelf 🤍✨
A very passionate and beautifully written love story.All the credit goes to the author for capturing such raw, heartfelt emotions and pouring it all in this book.
This book made me feel everything that a romance book should offer to a reader and more. It just reminded me that when two people are meant to be then the universe itself works it’s way to bring them together. Ruhi and Samar were those exact people, they shared a beautiful yet heartbreaking past, they bought the best out of each other but due to some miscommunication they parted ways which left both of them confused and hurt. Cut to two years later, Ruhi is the new employee in the workplace where Samar is her senior and the two of them have to work together. Their interactions were so fun to read,it had me giggling and laughing. They acted like they weren’t being affected by each other’s presence but their inner monologues gave it away. And and the banter was something else, the author crushed it in that department.
Ruhi was the kind of character every girl can relate to, she’s fierce,intelligent and beautiful, eldest of the two sisters and took the responsibility to run her entire household at a very young age. She doesn’t let anyone in her life that easily but Samar was an exception,he understood her without her having to say anything. Samar Malhotra wasn’t just a green flag he was a green carpet, he cared for her even when she acted like she doesn’t need caring, he brought out the soft and vulnerable side of Ruhi and rooted for her growth more than anyone else. The two of them didn’t even needed to proclaim their feelings for each other loudly their actions showed everything that’s needed to know.
If you wanna read a good frenemies to lovers and second chance romance that hits right in the feels then this one’s perfect for you.
Finding our Forever: A frenemies to lovers, slow-burn office romance! (Forever Series) by Manisha Vashist is the first book by the author that I had the pleasure to read and how I loved it.
It is the story of Ruhi Sharma and Samar Malhotra and is a story of second chances.
Ruhi Sharma, the responsible elder daughter, ambitious, strong, a corporate star. She has built her life around control, duty and quiet strength. She loves to read romance and drink her chai. And one solo trek led her straight to a man who is everything she has read about but never planned for. And before she realises what happens, she runs away because of a misunderstanding. She’s sworn off men. She has changed jobs and is now the newly employed leader of Sales Effectiveness Project at a startup.
Samar Malhotra, the man she met at the trek, and ran away from is the COO of the same firm. he does not believe in forever, but one day when he walks into his office, he is introduced to Ruhi, the woman who vanished with his heart, two years ago, without a word. And giving him some hope is the fact that he would be her mentor for the project she has been assigned.
Ruhi is taken aback when she is introduced to Samar, and is all the more shocked when he recognises her. He is her boss, after all, and she doesn’t even like him.
I loved the banter between Ruhi and Samar and how they try to keep their feelings hidden and stay professional. The story has been written from the point of view of both Samar and Ruhi and we can get an idea of their feelings first hand. I loved how Samar stood by Ruhi, giving her space and support as needed.
I loved the story and the characters and am really looking forward to reading the other books of the series next.
“Finding Our Forever” is a fresh start with minimum cliché and lots of tension and slow-burn. You gotta believe me! It took them 90 pages to kiss! A freaking 90 pages with tension that suspensed me in the air! And I loved every bit of it. The workplace romance, the sassy banters, oh my! It's just like icecream with brownie for me.
Samar and Ruhi, they are two parts of the most beautiful puzzle for me. They balance eachother, Ruhis’ stubbornness, and sass is a perfect fit for Samars’ patience, and understanding. And the elders, specially his parents, they are the best.
Reading this book has me hooked till the end of the pages. Cause, you never know when the plot is twisted, and the tables turn. It has become my therapy in the daily journey and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. The smiles and giggles I had at the banters, and cute scenes, the straight face I pulled up during the ‘ahem, ahem’ are unforgettable.
Though this is the second book of the author I'm reading, this became my favourite more than the previous one. And all thanks to that workplace tension and romance with the spice of slow-burn. The plot, the twists, the revelation, the narration, the tension everything was on point that I couldn't pause it in the middle.
Author Manisha, you just did a splendid work in this novel. And you deserve all the appreciation for this work. The plot is refreshing! The revelation is worthy, and the love, oh! to be loved by Samar, it's a miracle and Ruhi is all deserving for his love.
And, I didn't forget Sohi!!! She's the charm of this book! Read the book asap to know who's Sohi, hehe 🦋
There’s something about desi romance that hits straight in the chest, and Finding Our Forever reminded me exactly why. This book felt warm in that quietly comforting way, like a story that sits with you, softens you & makes you smile without even realising it.
Ruhi and Samar’s journey is the perfect mix of sweetness, tension and that slow burn magic we all crave. Their past comes with misunderstandings but their present is full of unresolved feelings, sharp glances & chemistry that refuses to stay quiet. I loved how their story wasn’t overloaded with drama; it unfolded naturally, with small moments that carried big emotions.
Ruhi as an FMC is such a delight—strong, expressive, responsible & still so relatable. Her thoughts felt real. Samar, on the other hand, is the calm, observant and annoyingly attractive kind of man who makes you giggle & blush at the same time. The way he notices her, understands her, and just shows up… ufff, truly the man every book lover secretly wishes to bump into.
The book balances banter, emotion and slow burn tension beautifully. Their trek memories, their office reunion, the push and pull, the stubbornness, all of it creates a steady pull that keeps you hooked. And yes, the classic “f*ck it” moment is there, and it is so worth it.
What stood out the most was how real everything felt. The heartbreak, the hesitation, the healing, it wasn’t rushed. The romance grows with honesty, tenderness and that little ache that makes you believe in second chances again.
If you love slow burns, second chances, this book will wrap you up in all the feels. A warm, emotional, very desi romance that stays with you long after you’ve flipped the last page.