Mistress of Honour

by Bhaavna Arora

A tale about passionate love and finding your soulmate . . . only to realize you will always come a close second
When Potnis, a captain in the Indian Army, meets Pansy during Operation Blue Star, he knows he has found the love of his life. Their passionate romance leads them to the altar and blossoms into a beautiful child, Rihana.
History repeats itself when Advik, a wayward boy from a broken family, catapults into Rihana’s heart as smoothly as he conquers the skies as an Indian Air Force pilot. What follows is a night of unabashed love, transporting the couple to heavenly bliss. Where will their unbridled love lead them? Will Rihana remain a mistress to Advik, for whom the love for his country comes first, or will she be able to make a place in his heart that is second to none? This heartbreaking saga of love, courage and sacrifice will leave you asking for more.

Genres: Love Story

190 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 15, 2015

About the author

Dr. Bhavna Arora is a new-generation writer who is an avid learner from life. She is a young enthusiast who has two MBA degrees and a Doctorate from Pittsford University in Leadership to her credit.
A philanthropist at heart, she has been sponsoring an underprivileged boy's education. She also works closely with an institute for special children.
You can visit her at http://www.bhaavna.com
Write to her at writer@bhaavna.com

Reviews

[Komal Priyani]

Firstly Congratulations for the huge success of "The Deliberate Sinner"...That book was beautifully written....
Now coming back to "Mistress Of Honour", I must say that the title of the book is simply mind-blowing...
This book reveals the hardships n sacrifices made by Indian armies and their families in order to serve our nation..From Potnis bravery to Pansy's misinterpreted ideologies described in the first part to their selfless sacrifices for the country
(Being Pansy's raising Rihana alone and losing her second child to Potnis losing his dear father and Friend Shamsher in a war)
From Granny's losing his husband to Kabir's gratitude towards Shamsher and Potnis family...
From Rihana's courageous decision to Advik's patriotism for his country...this book is a emotional ride full of breath-taking moments..
Liked :-
:-.We as a normal citizen follow Bollywood actors as our superhero's often neglecting the fact that the men in uniforms are the real heroes because of them only we can sleep peacefully at night...Grand Salute to Those soldiers.. Author has beautifully expressed the sacrifices made by Indian army in order to give us comfortable life by risking their own lives..Commendable Initiative has been taken by the Author as this aspect was superbly Highlighted..
:- When Rihana takes a courageous decision of her life, that part almost gave me tears...
:-And this amazing book ends with a thoughtful line “War was finally over, with a heavy loss of lives, each leaving scars with a hidden story.”

Drawback:-

:-Love fails to hit my cords, i know from the patriotism point this book is bang on but as a reader i feel the romantic aspect was lacking to certain extent as both the love stories were scattered..

P.S:-A light read exposing the dark and sad side of Army men and their families..
Komal Priyani ❤️

[Meghant Parmar]

Potnis & Pansy are on two different sides of justice. Not even on the same page. Not even having the same take. But it's something that gets them together and bonds them forever. Potnis is a man of duty and honor and Pansy a hapless victim of misinterpreted ideologies. Years later Rihana is also bound by a sacred oath to be part of nation and be part of circumstances which later on change the course of life for her. Advik & Kabir coming along and tagging her to undertake a journey different from the usual path of comfort. So what will come out as a winner? Love or sacrifice? What Potnis & Pansy will go through and how Rihana will handle it? That's what the story is all about.

Man in action is a man of honor. Life of army people is no less than a nightmare yet their sacred vow to be in service for the nation let them put it upfront and makes all other comforts of the world secondary. Family, love and emotions do not bound them. It's the life of duty that keeps them going. Depiction of army and their crusades of past revive the memories. The duty bound men and their grueling operations from the Blue Star to LTT E all finding place in the story. It's not imaginable. It's heartfelt from the author. The sense of pride setting in while turning page by page.

The book loses out when it comes to love. The stories of both the generations are scattered and are not able to cope up with the demands of the story. The author needed to put in more efforts to let love be more pure and surreal. It loses out to valor, honor and sacrifice and gets overshadowed completely.

All in all the book demands attention as it spans back decades and let readers live through the tough times of our country and soldiers. It is meant to be given a fair glimpse of what was in line and how was it achieved. it never bends the fact to suit the needs. Leaving it raw and gruesome at times to feel the ultimate effect. It owes us nothing rather owns our minds. The book lapses into simple notions of love which don't lap up the exact emotions as bravery and fail to complement the sensitivity. A bit distorted at that front. The book is a honorable sacrifice and a memorable ensemble.

[The Curious Reader]

Mistress of Honour spins the yarns of a tale of love that includes two generations of the same family. First is the story of Potnis and Pansy, who met during an Operation. Their love gives birth to Rihana. Advik enters Rihana’s life and changes it completely. But after Potnis and Pansy’s story – Is Rihana ready for a relationship where she will always come second to the country? And what effect will Kabir have on Rihana’s life?

The most important part of this book that shines through is the reflection of the lives of Indian Armed Forces. The lives of the people who serve our nation and their partners are depicted in a beautiful manner. It is a difficult life for both the person in service and for their spouse. For the people in service, they hold their lives in their hands and ready to sacrifice it without a second thought – it cannot be easy to do that. And for the spouses, it is the never ending tension of not knowing whether their partner will come back home that night and always coming in second to the country. The amount of dedication and sacrifice, the service calls for is paramount. Hats off to the people who show that kind of commitment and are ready to sacrifice everything, including their lives. In India, we really need to show our support such people who give up a lot for the service of the country. And this book is a way to give a small glimpse of what they face and what they give up.

I loved the characters as they were very individualistic and each held their own in the story. With two men in the Indian Armed Forces, you would think that they would stand out in the story. But Bhaavna Arora has done a beautiful job in portraying the strong women who stand by their men so that they can serve. Pansy and Rihana are just beautiful and strong characters that show us the sacrifices that a woman makes, however indirect it may be, to help serve the nation. The story was narrated well. Keeping in the difficult parts and yet telling it in a graceful way by balancing the sacrifice and the passion just perfectly. The plot is simple and mostly predictable, yet it did not let me put down the book.

This was an interesting and emotional journey…

[Anurag Damera]

This book deals with human relations with a little bit of patriotism involved. The way author conceived and involved the characters is quite appreciable.

[Divya]

A Perfect Mix of Love, Patriotism. Heart Touching Story and Wonderful Narration. Some Episodes made me Emotional. Thumbs up to the writer for choosing such a story.

100% Worth

[Madan Singh]

That line about the two stars on the shoulder hits incredibly hard, doesn't it? It perfectly captures the profound pride and the immense weight that military families carry every single day.

​Bhaavna Arora really did something special with Mistress of Honour. Because she grew up in that world, she doesn't just write about the army; she translates the actual pulse of cantonment life, the unspoken anxieties, and the fierce, quiet bravery of the families left behind. It’s one thing to read a war story, but it’s an entirely different emotional rollercoaster to see the human cost of those headlines through a multi-generational lens.

​The way she balances the warmth of those tight-knit family bonds with the cold, brutal realities of conflict is exactly why it leaves you so emotionally wrecked. It forces you to realize that the sacrifices aren't just made on the battlefield, but at the dining table with an empty chair.

​It definitely deserves a spot on the "do not read in public unless you want to cry in front of strangers" shelf!

​What part of the family's journey resonated with you the most?

[Sheetal Sahay]

The book starts from the uneventful journeys of 1984 -1999, 15 years and the shift in the life of an army officer and his family. However the end is what touched my heart and every word of it written was true and can give you goosebumps. Hats of the the spirits of life and patriotism of the men in forces.

[Aparna]

Personally this was an interesting and emotional journey. This was not my first read with stories depicting life of men serving defense services and their families turmoils but this definitely is one of the most beautiful and strong creation which provide us with an honest and moving insight into what it means to be a soldier, and more importantly a soldier's family.
Pansy and Rihana are just two most beautiful and strong characters that show what it takes to keep a bonds intact, the extend of sacrifices that a woman makes and how the wives of those brave men living under constant threat are truly the 'Mistress of Honour'.
Nothing would hold you back from falling in love with carefully built characters along with some beautifully expressed thoughts.
What it shines through is the reflection of the lives of these men and women and emotions from love courage, humor, romance and sacrifices which have been put up extremely well. Particularly the bond shared between between Shamsher and Potnis.
For me most part of the story felt like a complete facsimile, stories I have personally heard over and over and evoking memories from this time of life.
I once asked an army man isn't it difficult, this constant fear of life, loneliness and most importantly this separation?
He smiled and said, not at all, think about all the anxious waits and meetings afterwards, excitements that overflow, and living a life far beyond a regular one.
Always remember there is a popular saying in army "No news is good news" and it becomes your faith in life.
I can relate to all of this now much better than I did it then.
Like it said "Every soldier needs the memory of a woman to return to, to fight his bet battle. It gives him reason to stay alive and return home victorious”
A heartfelt thanks to the author and her team for letting me gain a perspective. Best wishes for the book!

[Manpreet Kaur]

The book is an exciting love story which has been embellished with sacrifice and pain.
An army officer and a woman named Pansy fall in love in quite unusual circumstances and have a daughter named Rihana. Rihana lives the life of a daughter of an army officer and ends up repeating the history with Advik. The plot of the book is created around major events in Indian history like Operation Blue Star, Civil War in Sri Lanka, Kargil war etc.
Through this book, the author provides a deep insight into what it is like to be a part of life if an army man. After reading this book, I found out that the author belongs to army background too and that explains how she was able to deliver this part so nicely. We rarely realize the gravity of situations like war for we don't actually fight, army does. And it is the families of army people that go through excruciating pain. The book is packed up with emotions and would really make you cry because of the sorrowful moments. It all seemed so real!
The narration style of the author is nothing but unique and perfect. You feel exactly what you should be feeling while reading different words, while going through different kinds of situations.
Everything has been well expressed and also written in a gripping manner. The book is a page turning novel and at the same time, a quick read. You can and you would want to complete this book in one sitting. I did.
The book might talk of love but it isn't just a love story. It is a lot more than that... it makes you realize how tough it is to in army, how tough it is to deal with death...
This book is a must-read. Each word in the book has been carefully woven to put the reader into a trance that doesn't break until you turn the last page and sigh for it ended! (and then shed tears... )

[Fatima]

fast-paced narrative novel, the story line is full of passion for all - dreams, love and country. It’s a combination of all elements -drama, honour, passion, patriotism, love, sacrifice, friendship and trust under one roof. The author takes the reader to a roller coaster ride of a soldier’s life. It spans across two generations and embraces the Sikh Riots as well as the Kargil war within it and brutality of wars. It was just amazing. I can’t say about others, but I personally loved the way it has been written. I believe it’s worth one read for sure.

[Ganesh Reddy]

Mistress of Honour = Respectable book
To write something like this one needs to put a lot of efforts and research, The story instills a sense of pride in our minds and makes us realize their importance and brings out the other side of our Real hero’s and Stronger female character . The war behind the real war and sentiments that are involved in between the military and their family, How it was made them shape out.

[Naveen Nandipati]

want to know the problems faced by soldiers?? read this book..

The story describes the real life of the soldiers. The author beautifully portraits a soldier's love towards the country. She also proved that love does not vary from time to time and the true love never fails,

[Himani Goyal]

A book with full of emotions, love for the country and Family. Some of the facts were real like Kargil war, which will touch your heart. A Quick read book. One can read it in one single shot.




Full Review: http://www.himanipassion.com/book-rev...

[Rahul Vishnoi]

-A Story of Heart & Honour-
Review of 'The Mistress of Honour' by Bhaavna Arora

Quote Alert
"𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥 𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐝, 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐢𝐦. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐦 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐨 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥. 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐏𝐨𝐭𝐧𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐞𝐫. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞, 𝐦𝐢𝐱𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐱𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲, 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞, 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞. 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭. 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐧'𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭--𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲, 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝. 𝐏𝐨𝐭𝐧𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐟 𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐡𝐢𝐭 𝐛𝐲 𝐂𝐮𝐩𝐢𝐝'𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡. 𝐇𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥. 𝐁𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐦𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐟 𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞, 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐭."

All love stories call themselves passionate & intense until the OG love story arrives: The army love story. Specifically, the love stories based in the background of forces, the Indian forces. For here there are 2. And it's so refreshing & heartening to see the love stories of the parents and their kid back to back. Yes, you read that right.

Here, Bhaavna Arora has written not 1 but 2 stories, interconnected at the umbilical cord. The first love story, between Pansy and Major Potnik, courses through the major part of the book and is followed by that of Rihana and Advik, whose aim is to become an Air Force pilot.
Have a look at a snipet from the story:
"Rihana could not believe how Advik had transformed. He had matured from a good-for-nothing rascal into a caring man with a deep sense of duty. It is rightly said that there is always a woman at the beginning of all great things, and Rihana was glad to be Advik's better half. On that terrace, under the moon, the stars and the sky, they had become one through their love-like Purush and Prakriti, like Shiva and Parvati."

And wait, there is a surprise here. The love story of Pansy and Potnis runs in the background of a major Indian historical event that changed the social-political scenario and the country erupted in riots: Blue Star Operation. Now, if you don't know what that is, pick up the phone and Google it now. And if you do know it, accept my congratulations for your sharp General knowledge.
The author writes:
The Golden Temple, a place of worship, peace, harmony and faith for many, was being devastated. Who is right? Who is wrong? These questions can never be satisfactorily answered because it all depends on how we view things. Nationalists and terrorists are such muddled-up terms that differentiating between right and wrong, good and bad becomes impossible at times. One often is a foil to the other as well as a cause for its existence. As far as anyone could see,Captain Potnis was trained to do his job and was going beyond the call of duty to do his best."

The part of Blue Star is written with utmost care, trying not to hurt the feelings. It also adds the required amount of thrill one might come to expect from a story of army background. And Arora doesn't disappoint.
Have a look:
"As soon as they entered the temple, the sniper tucked his finger inside the trigger guard and shot the other unit's radio operator dlean through his helmet. The operator fell, his blood splattering everywhere. The others had to take cover in the gallery of pillars that led to the Akal Takht-which served as Bhindranwale's headquarters and was heavily fortified; the windows were bricked and the walls were raised. There was no question of capturing the building using tear gas. The commandos were shot down and the armoured personnel carrier that brought the troops were immobilized by rocket-propelled grenades."

Strong characters make for strong stories. If the characters are flaky or one dimensional, the joy of reading a book, even if the story is interesting, is rendered half. The characters of this story are unpredictable, impulsive, multi dimensional and drive the story forward. It's a delight to see a character-driven story because their actions are as interesting as the plot and the twists. This also makes up for layering of the characters, adding a touch of humanity to papery words and that's just delightful.
Have a look atthis conversation that tells a reader not about 1 but both the characters:
"Go, your father is waiting for you. You've almost lost your mother because she left your father and you never made an effort to keep in touch with her. Don't lose your father too. You've no idea about the loneliness I feel when my father is not around, when he is on missions, it almost
kills me. Besides, it wasn't just your dad's dream, even you wanted to be an officer. Look at you now. You're only good with that goddamn camera around your neck, not with a gun or rifle. You chose this life. Why are you
running away from it?'"

In the crowd of love stories with chiseled abs and college girls, bulging biceps and faces plucked straight out of a Lakme ramp, 'Mistress of Honour' comes knocking with a fresh, dewy appeal. If you want run-of-the-mill, stereotypical, stale love stories, this is not for you. This, as I would like to say, is mature love: real and simple, sans gloss. Not glamour but grit.

Pick it up today.

[Chittajit Mitra]

http://itsgoingtobeobvious.blogspot.i...

[Sandeep Vemula]

This book is all about a story between love and war.I loved the context the way she written.Inspiring love sory and nice book by Bhaavna Arora

[Rudrashree Makwana]

“They say time heals everything, but for now, she was in a state of unbearable pain and shock. That was accompanied by a lurking fear about what the future held. Having already lost so much, she prayed constantly for her husband to return home safely.”
❤️‍🩹
“He did not know if his countrymen would ever remember that he gave up on his love and life so that they could have theirs, that he had sacrificed his today for their tomorrow.
There was no regret or pain in his eyes. They only showed the strength of his soul.”
❤️‍🩹
“This is the biggest misconception about the military.
They show the recruitment videos, wave the flags and play epic music, but they don't show you what war really is.
War is bad. I'll tell him not to join the army unless he wants emotional scars and nightmares.”

📖
Mistress of Honour is a poignant book of unbearable damage people carry, soldiers are always at the brink of life, their wives and family live with a hope that they will return home when the war will be over but deep inside their heart already knows, that it is surrounded by uncertainty and fear, some stories remain incomplete while some are filled with pain and despair. For Pansy, time has been too cruel for her, it took away all her hope and faith, but Potnis saved her. She was saved and loved. For Potnis, life always made him carry fear, guilt, and collateral damage. He had to witness horrifying turn of events, war, and death of other soldiers. For their daughter Rihana, from hope to despair, life made her strong enough to take the lead of her destiny. She loved and lost, but remained strong. For Advik, he remained loyal to his first love, for his country, while he was bound to duty, so when he had to make a choice between love, life, and sacrifice, he made his choice. For soldiers, who fought in a war, they are remembered for their sacrifice and loyalty towards their country, but grief and loss consumes their family. India wins the war, but their family carries grief, loss and last memories spent with them.

[Booklover_rimi]

"This is the biggest misconception about the military. They show the recruitment videos, wave the flags and play epic music, but they don't show you what war really is. War is bad, I'll tell him not to join the army unless he wants emotional scars and nightmares."

Looking at the title, many readers will immediately feel intrigued, just like me, so I immediately picked this book up to uncover the meaning of the title, and it is perfectly justified.

"Mistress of Honour" by Bhaavna Arora is a tale of how the lives of the Indian Armed Forces revolve around their duty and honour, whether you are in the army or a family member of one. In this story, the author shows their struggles, love, and sacrifices through two generations of couples.

In the beginning, we see Potnis and Pansy, who met during an operation, and how their relationship unfolds with their daughter, Rihana. Later, when Rihana grows up and meets Advik and Kabir, her life changes. Most importantly, is she ready to give love a chance with a person whose heart is already devoted to his first love, his country?

What I like most about the book is how the author shows us not only the struggles and sacrifices of the army men but also the struggles and sacrifices of their women, who also give up everything in their lives and let their loved ones fight for their country. And the way the author showcases the story of the women stands out the most here, which is beautiful, and we need to highlight them more. Like when Rihana says:
"Dad, my child is not a mission that you can abort if the ship is sinking. It's my battle, and I'm the captain."

And not just the women, the men here are also remarkable; their journey is also inspiring. The story is simple and also has many emotional parts that will tear you up for sure, but also make you feel proud of our protectors. So overall, it is a good read that I enjoyed thoroughly.

[Meghaa Pradyumnan]

📑 : 191
🔖 : #patrioticfiction
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🪖 You might come across some books that are so soul-filling that after reading them you feel a sense of satisfaction of having read and experienced something great! Well, this book just did that to me :)
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🪖 Potnis is an able captain in our Indian Army. During his stint at Operation Blue Star, he meets Pansy in unusual circumstances and knows he has met the love of his life. Their passionate romance leads them to their beautiful mistake, Rihana. Being the daughter of an Army man isn't easy and Rihana struggles during her growing days.
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🪖 Advik is a wayward boy from a broken family. To get away from his depressing childhood he turns to women. History repeats itself when Advik catapults into his schoolmate Rihana's heart as smoothly as he conquers the skies as an Indian Air Force pilot. Rihana has her own reservations about falling in love with a duty-bound officer. Will Rihana remain a mistress to Advik, for whom his country is his first love? Or will she be able to make a place in his heart that is second to none? Where will their unbridled love lead them?
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🪖 Kudos to the author for writing an unusual love story where bullets and hearts dance together. I loved how she had detailed the various war operations, the near-death experiences of various characters, the sufferings of family members whose loved ones are so far and serving their nation first. I'm someone who loves history and this book is set during some of the worst wars of our nation! I could feel the sweat and pain of our soldiers as they safeguard us, but no words can console their families' losses.
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🪖 I'm sure this heartbreaking saga of love, courage, and sacrifices will leave you asking for more!

[Sheetal sahu]

This book is an emotional story of love, family, duty, and sacrifice, spanning two generations. It follows Potnis, an Army officer, and later his daughter Rihana, whose love for Air Force pilot Advik brings her face-to-face with the same difficult reality, when duty to the nation comes before everything else.

What stood out most is the book’s portrayal of the sacrifices made not only by soldiers but also by their families. The fear, loneliness, uncertainty, and emotional burden of loving someone who constantly puts their life at risk are captured with sincerity. The military backdrop adds depth and highlights the courage and commitment behind a soldier’s life.

The generational connection between Potnis and Rihana is an interesting aspect, though I felt Rihana’s character deserved more development. Her ambitions, career, and personal journey could have been explored in greater detail.

The biggest weakness for me was the execution. The narrative sometimes feels disjointed, with abrupt shifts in plot and thought. The writing can feel more like a report than a flowing story, and some unanswered questions remain. Better editing and smoother transitions could have made the emotional impact much stronger.

Despite these shortcomings, the book succeeds in its most important purpose: reminding us that the sacrifices of soldiers are also shared by the families waiting for them. A heartfelt tribute to courage, love, and the price of serving the nation.

[Bindu]

This book is much more than a love story. It beautifully explores what happens when love, family, and duty pull people in different directions, forcing them to make choices that are anything but easy.

What I enjoyed most was the emotional depth of the relationships. The story doesn't rely only on romance; it also captures the sacrifices, hopes, and uncertainties that come with loving someone whose life is dedicated to a greater purpose. The emotions feel sincere, making it easy to connect with the characters and their journeys.

I also appreciated how the narrative spans different generations, showing how certain emotions and experiences echo through time while every individual still has to find their own path. It adds richness to the story and makes the relationships feel more layered.

The backdrop of military life lends authenticity and raises the emotional stakes without overshadowing the human story at its core. Themes of courage, commitment, loss, and resilience are woven naturally into the narrative, creating a moving reading experience.

Heartfelt, emotional, and engaging, this is a book for readers who enjoy character-driven fiction where love is tested by circumstances far greater than the people involved. It leaves you reflecting on the many forms sacrifice can take and the price some people willingly pay for both love and duty.

[Khushi Khandelwal]

It is a beautiful and emotional story that stayed with me even after I finished reading it. What I loved most was how the book shows the sacrifices made not only by soldiers but also by the people who love them.

The story follows two generations and beautifully connects their journeys through love, duty, and courage.
Pansy and Captain Potnis share a touching relationship that faces many challenges, while Rihana and Advik's story shows how difficult it can be to balance personal happiness with responsibility towards the nation.

I felt connected to the characters because their emotions seemed real. Their struggles, hopes, and choices made me care about what would happen next.

The book also gives a glimpse into the lives of military families and the strength they show during difficult times.

What made this book special for me was the message that true love is not just about being together; sometimes it is about understanding, sacrifice, and standing by someone no matter what.

Overall, Mistress of Honour is a heartwarming and memorable read filled with love, emotions, and inspiration.

I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys meaningful stories with strong characters and an emotional touch.

[Surbhi Jain]

Mistress of Honour is a deeply emotional saga that explores love, sacrifice, duty, and the invisible wounds carried by soldiers and their families.

Spanning generations, the story follows Potnis and Pansy's poignant romance and later shifts to Rihana and Advik, whose relationship is tested by the demands of military life and the weight of national service.

What I appreciated most was how the novel goes beyond romance to examine the human cost of war.

The plot is rich with moments of hope, heartbreak, resilience, and loss, showing how one person's duty can shape the lives of everyone around them.

The themes of patriotism, grief, courage, and unconditional love are woven seamlessly into the narrative.

The writing is simple, heartfelt, and accessible, allowing the emotions to take center stage. While the story deals with large historical and military events, its true strength lies in its characters and their personal struggles.

Pansy's journey, Potnis's burdens, Rihana's resilience, and Advik's devotion to his country all leave a lasting impact.

Heartbreaking yet inspiring, Mistress of Honour is a moving tribute to the sacrifices made not only by soldiers, but also by those who wait for them at home.

[Jitin]

Well you might already guess from its description that it's the old age rhetoric of patriotism, but what it can help you is critically observe the mechanism and process of this humbug Self-pity of family lives of ignorant and uneducated wives (maybe the author herself identifies with it) sowing the seeds of stupid ideas about who army serves and where there really is a gap between army and state, free of caste or not eh? Well a dalit might say that it's sometimes better to die than live a life of manual scavenger or a farmer. How lucky then army is comparatively. You have to understand that author is only buying myth of some of stupid majors and hasn't even an empirical investigation into it. It's a naive and ordinary piece, which is meant for mass consumption, and not 'educated' people where education also doesn't mean procuring degrees like the author boasts about. What a waste of money, but it gives you fine description of process of stupidity and rhetoric becoming embodied. I am surprised that it has got some good ratings, but that is because literature was converted into an arena of mass consumption. NO SURPRISE IN THAT!

[Hetanshi]

This book completely gripped me from start to finish. It is a deeply moving tale that centers on the heavy personal price paid by military personnel and their loved ones. Rather than focusing only on the battlefield, the plot dives into the quiet strength, anxiety, and profound affection shared by partners who must navigate constant uncertainty across generations.
The emotional highs and lows of the characters felt incredibly authentic. As someone who loved watching Descendants of the Sun, Purple Hearts, and Shershaah, reading this book brought back a huge wave of nostalgia. It carries that same bittersweet, powerful energy that makes you deeply appreciate the immense heart and devotion behind the uniform.
If you want a straightforward yet touching story about romance, resilience, and ultimate dedication, I highly suggest picking this up.

[Muskan Dhingra]

Mistress of honour by Bhaavna Arora is a beautiful story about toughest choices lies between serving the nation and care for your loved ones .
The book focuses on two generations, begins with Potnis , an army officer and later the story further proceeds about soldier’s daughter who also married to a soldier .
The story highlights the tribute to courage and struggles of Indian’s military families .
The book key highlights on love , detachment , care , service towards nation and sacrifices .
The book defines emotions and service towards work in the best possible way .
This book has a key touch the way we used to watch movies like URI and if you love reading such kind of stories , do pick this book .

[Navya Sri]

It's the story of two people who seem destined to be together not just according to the universe, but even to everyone around them not all of them. Yet fate has other plans. As a reader, you'll keep hoping they'll find their way back to each other, but their journey leaves you with a deep sense of longing for what was going to happen next but the narration makes you hold onto the emotions 

All of this unfolds against the backdrop of war, and the grief. The emotions feel raw, and the army setting adds depth to every decision taken. 

This book let's you know how being in army  is tested by destiny, duty, and circumstances, this book is definitely worth reading it is beyond the stars on shoulders. 

[Sakshi]

Reading these specific chapters feels like standing on a fault line between intense warmth and sudden tragedy. The raw intimacy of Deepak and Pansy’s relationship is beautifully written, making the sudden shift into the stark psychological trauma and grief of 1984 hit even harder. What strikes me most is how honestly the book portrays the vulnerabilities of an army wife; it doesn’t shy away from the severe anxiety, the heartbreaking moments of mental breaking points, or the painful domestic sacrifices made behind closed doors. It is a deeply grounding, emotional roller-coaster that makes you respect the families behind the uniforms just as much as the soldiers themselves.

[Parinita Sharma]

Some love stories are about choosing each other.
Mistress of Honour is about choosing your country even when your heart wants something else.

This book beautifully portrays the lives of soldiers and their families, reminding us that sacrifice isn't limited to the battlefield. Through generations of love, loss, courage, and unwavering duty, Bhaavna Arora crafts an emotional story that stays with you long after you've turned the final page.

If you love military romances with strong emotions and meaningful themes, this one is worth picking up. ❤️🤍💚

⭐ Rating: 5/5

[Meenakshi]

Mistress of Honour by Bhaavna Arora is a heartfelt tribute to the courage and sacrifices of India's military families. Through the lives of Potnis, Pansy, and later Rihana, the novel beautifully explores love, duty, separation, resilience, and patriotism. The author offers an emotional and authentic glimpse into the challenges faced by armed forces personnel and their loved ones. A touching and inspiring read that I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys stories of courage, family, and unwavering commitment.