What Felt Like Home

by Sakshi Srivastava

230 pages, Hardcover

Published April 21, 2026

Reviews

[Rujuta Desai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a heartwarming story

So I just finished What Felt Like Home… and I don’t think this is a book I can just review and move on from. It felt a little too close, a little too real 🥺🤍

It’s such a simple story on the surface. Office, deadlines, two people working together. But the emotions quietly build and hit you when you’re not even expecting it.

Ishita felt so real to me. That whole “I’m fine on my own, I don’t need anyone” attitude after being hurt… I’ve seen it, I’ve felt it. The way she hides behind her work, keeps everything controlled, and avoids anything that might make her vulnerable. It didn’t feel like a character, it felt like someone you actually know.

And Ansh… honestly, he’s the kind of character that just makes your heart feel soft. No drama, no filmy dialogues, no chasing. Just calm, respectful, and quietly there for her. The way he understands her without pushing, the way he loves without demanding. It felt very grounded, very real. Like the kind of love we don’t talk about enough.

What I really loved is that this story doesn’t try to be loud. It’s in the chai break conversations, the work stress, the silences, the little moments that slowly turn into something meaningful. Very slice of life, very Indian in its feel. Simple, emotional, and relatable.

And that “we shouldn’t cross this line” tension because of work and boundaries. It added that subtle pull throughout the story. You keep hoping they figure it out, even when they’re both scared to.

By the end, I just felt warm. Not overwhelmed, not shattered. Just that soft, comforting feeling, like when something quietly touches your heart.

For me, this wasn’t just a romance. It was about healing, patience, and finding someone who feels like home without even trying.


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[Kaivalya S · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is something special about an office romance that trades fireworks for slow, steady warmth, and that is exactly what Sakshi Srivastava delivers in What Felt Like Home. If you are tired of rushed insta-love and prefer a story that focuses on genuine emotional healing and mutual respect, this one is for you.

Set in the professional landscape of Bangalore, the story introduces us to Ishita and Ansh. Their dynamic is intriguing from the start. Ishita is a lead developer who is fierce, professional, and has no intention of mixing her personal life with her work. She carries deep-seated trauma from her past that has caused her to build a fortress around her heart.

Enter Ansh, who happens to be her client. He is the complete opposite of what Ishita expects. He is soft, incredibly calm, and deeply caring. He doesn’t try to break down her walls; instead, he shows up consistently, respecting her boundaries while proving that he is trustworthy.

What I loved most about this story is that it captures the beauty of small, meaningful moments. It shows that real love isn't always about grand, loud gestures. Sometimes, it is found in quiet gestures, tiny details, and the patience it takes to help someone heal on their own terms. The pacing felt very realistic, proving that love doesn't need to be rushed to be powerful.

This is a sweet, emotional, and deeply satisfying read about finding your safe space in another person.

[Sinsin · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been so long since I read a book that gave me this kind of feeling. I was craving that deep, intense yearning from the male lead, and this book gave me exactly that. The way Ansh loved Ishita so deeply, so patiently, and so wholeheartedly had me smiling, blushing, and feeling every little emotion right along with them.
I finished this book within just 10 hours because I genuinely could not stop reading. Every chapter pulled me in deeper, and I was so emotionally invested in their story. The slow burn was everything I wanted it to be, beautifully paced, full of tension, longing, and those little moments that make your heart ache in the best way.
This book felt like a warm hug. It gave me such a soft, comforting feeling while reading, the kind of story that makes your heart feel full and leaves you with this quiet happiness.
What made this experience even more special was that this was my very first time annotating a book. I thought it would feel difficult at first, but it turned out to be so much fun. I’m honestly so happy that I started my annotation journey with this book 💞

[Yuvasree · Rating 4 out of 5]

So after completing What Felt Like Home, I was literally in the state of Ansh truly, deeply, embarrassingly happy!!!🩷🩷🩷
What Felt Like Home is such a soft and tender romance book that just flows effortlessly!
Ansh, I have really no words to explain his character!!! The man is such a yearner!! Ansh is a kinda character who proves real love can be patient, selfless, and powerful. His love is quiet, yet completely wholehearted. What I admired most about him was how he never forced his feelings or made them a burden for Ishita. Instead, he simply waited. And sometimes that quiet patience means more than any of those grand gestures.
The plot stays well written and takes you through the book easily. The author has made the emotions more vivid and easy to read. Despite the tension, it’s one of the happiest books I’ve read in recent times! It never made me question anything; throughout the book I was just a happy kid reading it.🩷☺️

[Aafi Nachiyar · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I'M OBSESSED. 😭 What Felt Like Home is the perfect title because this book actually felt like home. It felt like the warmest hug after a long day, like a cup of tea that somehow makes everything okay.

Ansh... where do I even begin? Where do I find a man like him?! He's literally a GREEN FOREST. 🌳 He is too Good to be true! The way he loves, waits, understands, and never rushes Ishita's healing... my heart couldn't take it. And Ishita, She has built such high walls around herself, believing she has to handle everything alone, but Ansh never forces his way in. He simply stays. DAMN MAN.

The slow burn, the healing, the patience... EVERYTHING was perfect. This wasn't just a romance—it felt like healing. It felt safe. It felt like a hug that I'll keep coming back to. 🤍

Thank you for the ARC. This story will stay with me forever, and Ansh has earned a permanent place in my book boyfriend list.🤍

[The quiet reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

What Felt Like Home by Sakshi Srivastava is a soft slow-burn office romance that focuses on healing and emotional growth.

Ansh and Ishita’s story felt very real to me. Ishita is strong and independent but emotionally guarded because of her past, while Ansh is patient, caring, and shows his love through small efforts and gestures. I loved seeing how their relationship slowly developed with misunderstandings, longing, and healing.

The dual POV made it easy to connect with both characters and understand their emotions.

Overall, a comforting romance about how love, patience, and genuine effort can slowly start to feel like home.

[Sharmee Sha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a heartwarming read. Loved every single page. Plot, slow burn, and book cover all too good to be true. Ansh has my heart 💜

[Ragini Verma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so close to my heart as I have read it recently and fell in love with. the characters are described so nicely. the book will feel like a warm hug

[Sangamithra - sangusbooktalk · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gave me a warm hug …when I never knew, that is what I needed the most. Criminally underrated and under hyped book. Never once felt how can this happen in reality?? Everything felt very real 😊👍.