Ghosted, Roasted and Going from Super Likes to Super Yikes!! - A Satirical Survival Manual for the Digitally Doomed!

by Prajwal Kumar Domalapalli

Satirically and slightly exaggerated autobiographical experience of navigating through dating apps when I was single. The book recounts my humorous encounters, parodies of events, mistakes I have made, and the complexities of the dating app world. This book attempts to share my vulnerabilities, insecurities and at the same time serve as a guide drawing on the lessons I've learned, to help guide the next generation and mine as well.

74 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 2, 2026

Reviews

[Rahul Vishnoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

-Love in the Times of Tinder-
Review of 'Ghosted, Roasted and Going from Super Likes to Super Yikes!!' by Dr Prajwal Kumar Domalapalli

Quote Alert
"𝐌𝐲 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥 𝐰𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐥𝐞𝐝. 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐲, 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐲 𝐨𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐦𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐚. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠—𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦 ‘𝐎𝐍𝐒’. “𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭?” 𝐈 𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐞𝐝, 𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧. ‘𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝,’ 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲, 𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬. 𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤!"

When Rajendra Krishan wrote 'Mere piya gaye Rangun, Kiya hai vahan se telephone,' little did he know that this instrument with curly wire and a round dial would evolve into a hunk of glass that could transform into a harbinger of love: Cupid of 21st century. If you can find love in a box of metal, glass and plastic, the apps and websites are more than ready to offer you that. But this so called 'love', packed in a volley of innuendos like ONS and FWB, is as fragile as the glass that covers the smartphone you carry in your palm.

In this honest and hilarious autobiography, Prajwal outlines his outandish experience on dating apps, recounting funny (both funny-haha and funny-weird) experiences, anecdotes and a few (maybe many) peculiar experiences bordering on waking semi-nightmares. Right from having a chat with someone who only communicated via emojis to some who demanded she be treated like a person of royal heritage; from having a coffee with a girl who casually dropped the bomb of casual sex to people who curated their dp, it's all there.

Prajwal stresses upon the tendency of people we meet online to ghost others. The ones possessing the covetous disappearing (read ghosting) capabilities akin to Magician PC Sorcar Jr, as if they were a painting of Monet.
The author writes:
"Sometimes I wondered if I was dating a real person or their avatar designed for maximum swipe appeal. Because once a video call happened, there was no similarity between the pictures I had seen and the woman I was looking at live!"
And if you are still blessedly unaware of the existence of dating apps and don't know what "Ghosting" means, author explains here:
"Ghosting, I learned, is the modern disappearing act: vanish without a trace, leaving questions and bruised hearts behind. No farewell, no explanation—just silence. The message bubbles remained, unread and abandoned."

If there were weird experiences, Prajwal found some tender moments too. An impromptu midnight chat turned into hours of shared laughter about childhood memories. A match who confessed that her digital awkwardness matched his own, leading to honest exchanges. But the most jaw-dropping experience was this:
"Then, out of nowhere, she dropped the bombshell: she’s married. Yep, not just in a casual “I’m dating while married” kind of way, but the full “I am a bored homemaker and you’re my time-pass” deal. Talk about a plot twist nobody asked for. I don’t know about you, but hearing “I’m your time-pass” from a married woman felt like someone just spilt hot coffee on my soul. I instantly felt dirty all over—as if I’d stepped barefoot on a Lego brick, but in my heart."

Prajwal is brutally honest and continuously takes digs at himself. He explains he is neither like Ryan Gosling not like Mahesh Babu. In fact, he confesses:
"I was more like a beanbag chair on legs—with zero athletic ability but a dedicated fanbase of cafeteria samosas and lunchboxes. My face? Unmistakably human but probably better suited to a shampoo ad that says, ‘Before: Proceed with Caution."
This ability to make fun of yourself in a book, something that won't disappear until eternity, is something to be cherished and applauded.

The author cleverly hides his hurt and disappointment, garbing it in generous swaddles of humour and laughter. Because what you do when you feel hurt? You can be depressed or you can laugh about it. Kudos for being such a sport.

Pick it up this week.

[Mahi Aggarwal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ghosted, Roasted and Going from Super Likes to Super Yikes!! by Prajwal Kumar Domalapalli is a book that made me laugh first and then made me think. On the surface, it reads like a funny account of dating app disasters, but underneath the humour lies honesty, self-awareness, and a very real look at how confusing modern dating can be.

The author shares his experiences with dating apps in a way that feels open and personal. The stories are exaggerated just enough to be entertaining, yet they never feel fake. Each encounter, mistake, and awkward moment reflects situations many people have either lived through or narrowly escaped. What works well is that the book doesn’t pretend the digital dating world is glamorous. It shows it as messy, unpredictable, and often emotionally exhausting.

What I appreciated most is the vulnerability behind the jokes. Author doesn’t position himself as an expert who got everything right. He admits insecurities, poor decisions, and moments of self-doubt. That honesty gives the book depth. The humour feels earned because it comes from reflection, not mockery. Even when things go wrong, the tone stays self-aware rather than bitter.

The book also works as a quiet guide. Between laughs, it offers lessons about boundaries, expectations, communication, and emotional awareness. It speaks to a generation navigating connection through screens, where attention is short and rejection is casual. Without lecturing, the book encourages readers to be kinder to themselves and more conscious in how they engage with others online.

The writing style is easy and conversational, making it a quick but engaging read. It feels like listening to a friend recount their dating life with honesty and wit. There is a balance between entertainment and reflection that keeps the book grounded. You finish it smiling, but also thinking about how dating apps shape confidence, loneliness, and self-worth.

As a reader who loves books rooted in real experiences, I found this one relatable and refreshing. Ghosted, Roasted and Going from Super Likes to Super Yikes!! captures a specific phase of modern life with clarity and humour. It reminds us that rejection is not failure, mistakes are part of learning, and every awkward story eventually becomes something worth sharing.

For anyone who has survived dating apps, is currently stuck in them, or simply enjoys honest, humorous storytelling, this book is worth picking up.

[Ishani Roy · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Ghosted and fading reflect our avoidance of confrontation, sanitized through screens."

💌 There is a certain quiet exhaustion that comes with the blue light of a smartphone screen, a digital fatigue born from endless swipes and conversations that vanish like mist. Prajwal Kumar Domalapalli’s "Ghosted, Roasted and Going from Super Likes to Super Yikes!!" captures this modern phenomenon with a sharp, satirical edge, turning the labyrinth of digital dating into a narrative that is as much a survival manual as it is a mirror to our collective search for connection.
He navigates the chaos of swiping culture with a self-aware wit, transforming the "super yikes" moments of modern romance into a series of cautionary tales that feel deeply relatable to anyone who has ever ventured into the world of dating apps.

💞 The narrative thrives on a clever blend of humor and insight, particularly in how the author playfully masks the names of popular platforms, creating a rhythmic, pun-filled landscape that highlights the inherent cringe of the digital experience. It is a book that doesn't just mock the process but embraces the insecurities we all share, making the reader feel less isolated in their digital disasters. Beneath the surface-level satire, there is a thoughtful exploration of how these platforms impact our mental well-being. The author skillfully points out how the brevity of digital exchange often leads to misinterpretation and how algorithms are frequently designed to prioritize engagement over the delicate, human art of building a meaningful bond.

📲 Between the witty anecdotes and the examination of our new "emoji-led" language, a deeper message emerges from the shadows of the humor. The book serves as a gentle reminder that while genuine connection often has to battle through the noise and deception of the digital age, the hope for something real remains vital. It is a work that balances entertainment with emotional survival, perfect for those who have navigated the silence of being left on read or the confusion of a ghosted conversation.

💯 Ultimately, it leaves the reader feeling a little more understood and significantly more amused by the beautiful, messy chaos of trying to find love in the age of the algorithm.

[TheLiteraryNook · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐐𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞:
"Real love? Sometimes, it’s not waiting halfway across the world or buried in a sea of profiles—it’s just a few cubicles away, or hiding between two very awkward Zoom meetings."

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐈 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬?
I was really intrigued by the blurb when I came across this book. It sounded genuinely interesting, which is exactly why I decided to pick it up.

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
I really like the book cover. The colour palette makes it eye-catching, while the illustration complements the content. The title is pretty appropriate too. The book also includes illustrated images inside, which are relevant to the context and enhance the overall reading experience.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭?
The book talks about the author's real-life online dating experiences. This hilarious account not only sheds light on the world of fast dating but also highlights that old-school love still exists.

𝐎𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧:
✓ It takes courage to be brutally honest, and the author does a commendable job here. He doesn’t try to portray himself as morally perfect and instead presents his real self, which genuinely impressed me.
✓ The experiences shared are honestly hilarious and what makes them even better is the way the author comments on them. His satirical writing and smart humour make this book a very engaging read.
✓ One thing I noticed was that the presentation and organisation of the content could have been slightly better. However, it didn’t affect my reading experience.
✓ The author also shares insights on how to navigate online dating. Even though I don’t have personal experience, the points felt relevant and genuine.
✓ He highlights not just the fun aspects like making meaningful friendshipsn but also the societal issues online dating can create, including its effect on mental health and emotional well-being.
✓ Overall it's a relatable, fun and short read, perfect for beginners who want to try non-fiction. I highly recommend it to everyone out there, but especially to the millennials, because trust me, you'll relate to it a lot.

[Shrestha Dey · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Ghosted, Roasted and Going from Super Likes to Super Yikes!!' by Dr Prajwal Kumar Domalapalli is the modern disappearing act where people vanish without a trace, leaving questions and bruised hearts behind. If you’ve ever stared at your phone at 2 a.m., wondering how "Great chatting with you! 😊" turned into eternal radio silence, this is the survival manual you didn’t know you needed!
This is a digital survival guide, part autobiography and part satirical guide. Dr Prajwal recounts his outlandish experiences navigating the labyrinth of dating apps. From matching with people who communicate only via emojis to royalty demanding red-carpet treatment, this book is a hilarious peek into the funny-weird side of modern romance. This book is brutally honest and self-deprecating, as the author’s superpower is his humility. Instead of playing the 'cool guy,' he describes himself as a 'beanbag chair on legs' with a dedicated fanbase of cafeteria samosas. Whether he’s being ghosted by a magician or realising a match used in photos from a different decade, his ability to laugh at his own insecurities makes you feel less alone in your own dating app disasters.
The 'Yikes' moments of this book are from married women looking for a time-pass to profile pictures that are essentially works of fiction; the anecdotes are exaggerated yet painfully accurate. The author also addresses mental health, offering genuine insights into how algorithms are designed to keep us swiping and how to protect our mental well-being in the 'war of hearts.' The book even features poorly punned names for famous dating apps, making it a fun guessing game for all readers.
This isn't just a book about dating, it’s about the courage to be vulnerable and the power of laughter. It’s short, punchy, and filled with 'oh no, that’s me' moments. If you’ve ever believed a 'Super Like' meant something, do yourself a favour and pick this up. It’s a right swipe book and a warm hug, which is much-needed for a reality check for the people who are digitally doomed.

[kriti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prajwal’s book is one of those rare reads that genuinely makes you laugh out loud without feeling forced or exaggerated. It’s simply him recounting what happened on dating apps, and the humour comes from how real and absurd some of these situations are. From people who only type in emojis to someone demanding to be treated like royalty, every chapter has a moment that catches you off guard and makes you grin.

One thing I enjoyed throughout is his ability to make fun of himself without making it uncomfortable. His comparison of himself to a “beanbag chair on legs” or confessing that he is neither Ryan Gosling nor Mahesh Babu gives the book a self-deprecating charm. Instead of trying to sound impressive, he leans into honesty, and that makes it relatable and funny.

There are also sections that are simply memorable because of how bizarre they are like the woman who casually reveals she’s married and treats him as a form of time-pass. The way he narrates that moment is both funny and slightly painful, and it stays with you after the chapter ends. Then there are the smaller sweet moments too: late-night chats that stretch into early morning, and matches who openly admit they’re just as awkward as he is.

Underneath all the humour, there’s also a quiet acknowledgement of how strange modern dating can be people disappearing mid-conversation, profiles curated like marketing brochures, and the constant uncertainty of not knowing who you’re actually talking to. But Prajwal never complains; he mostly laughs his way through it, and lets us laugh with him.

Overall, it’s an easy, light, entertaining read that brings a smile more often than not. I genuinely enjoyed it and found myself turning the pages just to see what could possibly happen next.

[Prerna Shambhavee · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if you were “like a beanbag chair on legs with zero athletic ability but a dedicated fanbase of cafeteria samosas”? That’s the voice that greets you in this wildly honest and hilarious memoir about stumbling through the world of dating apps. With charm and self-deprecating wit, the author pulls back the curtain on a digital quest for connection where emoji-only conversations, surprise revelations, and expert-level ghosting are all part of the daily swipe.

From matching with someone who expects royal treatment to coffee dates that take sharp, unexpected turns, each story is served with a generous layer of humor. But beneath the laughs, there’s real feeling like when he describes ghosting as “the modern disappearing act: vanish without a trace, leaving questions and bruised hearts behind.” It’s this mix of funny-haha and funny-ouch that makes the book so relatable.

The author never pretends to be a dating guru or a romantic hero. Instead, he openly shares his awkward moments, odd encounters, and even the sting of being called someone’s “time-pass.” Yet, he wraps every uncomfortable truth in warmth and comedy, choosing to laugh where others might hide. You’re not just reading his stories you’re nodding along, remembering your own digital near-misses and hopeful chats.

If you’ve ever swiped right, waited for a reply, or stared at a screen wondering where the conversation disappeared to, this book feels like a friendly arm around your shoulder. It doesn’t judge the chaos of modern love; it simply says, “I’ve been there, too,” and turns the whole messy, hopeful experience into a story you’ll love returning to no filter needed.

[Aditi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book does not begin with hope. It begins with recognition. The kind that makes you pause, smile, and think, ‘okay, I’ve been here’. 😩

The first few pages already feel like opening old chats you swore you deleted. There is no pretending, no romanticising, just an honest entry into the strange emotional marketplace of dating apps.

Each section reads like a moment rather than a chapter. A match that felt promising. A reply that came too late. A silence that said everything. The humour works because it is not forced; it comes from accuracy. You laugh because you recognise the pattern, not because the situation is outrageous.

The book handles vulnerability very gently. Beneath the jokes are small admissions of insecurity, overthinking, and the quiet need to be chosen. It never asks for sympathy, yet it earns it effortlessly.

Halfway through, the book starts feeling less like a satire and more like a mirror. Not uncomfortable, just honest. It reminds you how easily dating apps blur confidence and self-worth, and how often we mistake attention for connection.💞

By the end, this is not a book about dating apps at all. It is about surviving them with humour intact. You close it feeling lighter, amused, and oddly reassured, that none of this chaos is personal, and all of it will someday be a story worth telling.

[Khushbu Mathur · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ghosted, Roasted and Going from Super Likes to Super Yikes!! is a sharp, self-aware, and laugh-out-loud satirical guide to modern digital dating—and the emotional whiplash that comes with it.

Have you ever wondered while swiping on digital dating apps what bio or profile picture would help your chances of a match. Or ever wondered how a “Great chatting with you 😊” turned into radio silence?
The author draws from his own adventures on various dating apps and shares funny anecdotes to highlight how digital conversations often suffer from misinterpretations and its long term effect on mental health.
He also shares helpful tips to navigate these challenges to keep hope alive.

Beyond the jokes, there’s a sneaky layer of insight into how dating app algorithms are designed to maximise engagement rather than cultivate meaningful connections. In a world where technology increasingly replaces face-to-face intimacy, the book raises an important question: can true compatibility really be found in a system designed to keep us endlessly swiping?

Perfect for anyone who’s loved, lost, or been left on read. Come for the laughs, stay for the emotional survival tips, and leave feeling slightly less doomed—and a lot more amused.

[Varsha Dubey · Rating 5 out of 5]

"If acronyms were new words, emojis were an entirely new language."
- (Lines from the book)

This book takes readers on a satirical journey through the labyrinth of dating apps—a place where hope comes to get catfished.
One thing I liked about this book was that the author altered the names of all the dating apps, but he came up with the greatest replacement names, thus the names of the dating apps were changed to rhyming and/or poorly punned terms. This should make it easy for readers to guess which app is being referred to.
While reading this book many a time I laugh as this book is full of laughter moments but at the same time this book teaches us a lot such as how one need to take care of one's mental health as sometimes the remarks one get on these apps are not kind and might affect one's mental well being. The author has beautifully conveyed bigger messages in the shadow of humour.
This book teaches me one thing that true love never comes with manual and conditions which are so far fetched that can never be fulfilled.
This book is full of moments which bring laughter, heartbreak, lessons and hope.

"Yet amidst the noise, the chaos and sometimes deception, genuine connection battles for space."
(An abstract from book)

[Surbhi Jain · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is basically every dating app trauma wrapped in humor and self-awareness.

Ghosted, Roasted and Going from Super Likes to Super Yikes!! feels like scrolling through your Notes app at 2 a.m. after yet another “so what are you looking for?” conversation dies mid-sentence. Prajwal Kumar takes the chaos of dating apps and turns it into a full-blown satirical survival guide for the emotionally online and mildly unhinged (affectionate).

The stories are exaggerated, yes, but also painfully accurate. Ghosting, awkward matches, misplaced confidence, instant regret, and those moments where you stare at your phone wondering how it went wrong in three messages. What makes this book fun is how openly it owns the cringe. It laughs at insecurities instead of hiding them and somehow makes you feel less alone in your dating app disasters.

It’s funny, self-roasty, and weirdly comforting. Equal parts entertainment and cautionary tale. If you’ve ever been ghosted, left on read, or believed a super like meant something, this book will feel personal. Read it for the laughs, stay for the “oh no, that’s me” moments.

[Priyanka M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a hilarious take on the chaos of online dating. It's a satirical guide for those who've been ghosted, left on read or wondered how things went wrong in three messages.


The stories are exaggerated, but painfully accurate. The author owns the cringe, laughing at insecurities instead of hiding them. It's funny, witty and weirdly comforting, making you feel less alone in your dating app disasters.


The book blends humor, awkwardness and vulnerability into relatable stories. If you've ever swiped right, been ghosted, or questioned your life choices on a coffee date, this book will hit home. The author's lived experiences shine through the book, making it a fun, candid look at modern dating.


Overall, a fun book that blends humor and reality of today's digital dating era.

[Tasneem Anjum · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is humorous, offering firsthand insight into what to expect for someone wanting to dive into the world of online dating.

Sure, the options are limitless across popular and lesser-known apps, but it's a maze of highs and lows,of instant connections or sudden despair.

The author gives solid advice on what to expect and how to handle ghosting, catfishing, and utter disappointments in this war of hearts. Humour is truly his superpower, and it shines throughout this unique and chaotic narrative.