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A Bittersweet Reprieve
A man who comes home from battle to find that his wife has deserted him... A woman who thinks her husband pretended to be dead and never cared enough to return home…Maj. Tejveer Singh is an ex-serviceman from the Indian Army, decorated for his exemplary courage. After resigning from service with near-fatal wounds, he returns home to the life-altering news that his wife, Megha, has disappeared. A devastated Tej comes to the painful conclusion that she has deserted him.Megha has a different story to tell. The news about Tej’s ‘death’ at the hands of the enemy breaks down her emotional equilibrium. She escapes to London, far away from everything that would remind her of Tej.Three years later, Megha, now a gourmet writer, returns to India. Life grinds to a halt again, when she comes face-to-face with Tej at a party in Mussourie. Fired by rage and betrayal they confront each other even as unresolved issues, an unequal power equation, buried suspicions and angst from their troubled marriage hover like phantoms once more. Both want to know the truth about the other. Pride and mistrust prevents both of them from revealing it first.Cut off from the world for a week, they become engrossed in a utopia where neither of them talks about the past or the future. However, time is ticking by…and the potent secret between them is waiting to explode. Will they be able to resolve the deadlock without tearing away from each other?
221 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 4, 2017
14 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Leena Varghese
12 books65 followersLeena Varghese is an eclectic writer who has authored books as diverse as Mills & Boon romance to paranormal thrillers. Her stories are laced with humour, passion, intrigue, and hope. The written word is her closest ally and a cathartic outlet to all that simmers within her soul. She loves the myriad world of multi-dimensional characters, and an alternate reality that words can create. Her writing depicts a range of human emotions from animated expression to silent contemplation. Although she loves romance and heart-warming tales that are entertaining, as a writer she has always tested her capabilities without fitting into a convenient box with labels. She is equally versatile in depicting realistic accounts that are thought-provoking and meaningful.
She was a closet writer for a long time, scribbling funny snippets from life, and tales full of hope and happy endings. Eventually, she decided to send a manuscript to Mills & Boon UK, who brought out her debut book, A Perfect Mismatch, under the Indian Author Collection. The second book, A Silver Dawn, was published by Harper Collins under the Harlequin imprint.
She ventured into indie publishing with A Bittersweet Reprieve, Flawless, Wildflowers in the Rain, The Heir of Kingsley, The Stranger in My Dreams, Blight, and Nothing Serious that were published through Amazon KDP.
She is a post-graduate in English Literature, with a Bachelor’s degree in Education, and a Diploma in Fine Arts. As a commissioned artist, she loves to experiment with various media including oils, acrylic, watercolours, and pastels. She enjoys illustrating children’s books and designing her own book covers. Some of her illustrated works are A Date with Daddy, A Date with Mommy, I Can Love You from Anywhere, Cousins, and A Luna Moth, A Lightning Bug, and Mr. Kipling.
Leena firmly believes that everyone comes into the world equipped with an umbrella for rainy days. Anyone can be creative enough to turn lemons into lemonade, topped with iced pragmatism. A life spent learning and doing new things even when failure stares you in the face is a life well lived indeed. She lives in Mumbai with her family. She loves listening to music, watching movies, and having heated debates on existentialism and spirituality.
Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.in/stores/Leena-Va...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luminosabooks/
She was a closet writer for a long time, scribbling funny snippets from life, and tales full of hope and happy endings. Eventually, she decided to send a manuscript to Mills & Boon UK, who brought out her debut book, A Perfect Mismatch, under the Indian Author Collection. The second book, A Silver Dawn, was published by Harper Collins under the Harlequin imprint.
She ventured into indie publishing with A Bittersweet Reprieve, Flawless, Wildflowers in the Rain, The Heir of Kingsley, The Stranger in My Dreams, Blight, and Nothing Serious that were published through Amazon KDP.
She is a post-graduate in English Literature, with a Bachelor’s degree in Education, and a Diploma in Fine Arts. As a commissioned artist, she loves to experiment with various media including oils, acrylic, watercolours, and pastels. She enjoys illustrating children’s books and designing her own book covers. Some of her illustrated works are A Date with Daddy, A Date with Mommy, I Can Love You from Anywhere, Cousins, and A Luna Moth, A Lightning Bug, and Mr. Kipling.
Leena firmly believes that everyone comes into the world equipped with an umbrella for rainy days. Anyone can be creative enough to turn lemons into lemonade, topped with iced pragmatism. A life spent learning and doing new things even when failure stares you in the face is a life well lived indeed. She lives in Mumbai with her family. She loves listening to music, watching movies, and having heated debates on existentialism and spirituality.
Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.in/stores/Leena-Va...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luminosabooks/
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 13, 2017
For the first time....in a year....I have found a book....which is true to its heart....in many ways...The cover page....the synopsis and the introduction to the book...everything is perfect....Love to read the stories of Indian brave soldiers...and this one is classy....i love the vivid description of characters, places and aura that surrounded them...moods and everything of this book...a good read on any day....
March 17, 2022
If you are a Mills and Boon fan, sure you are going to love this.
What is true love? It is depicted in the way Tej and Megha's relationship matures. This story clearly conveys that relationships get stronger with communication.
I firmly believe the key to a stronger bond is sharing exactly what is in your mind. Because the more you strangle your feelings inside the worse you are doing to your relations. Throughout the book, my mind kept screaming 'Talk, you two, please'.
My favourite scene from the story is the horse ride. The language is so apt that, I could literally imagine the couple riding horses.
I am sure to check out more books written by Leena.
For more such reviews visit - https://penitratherkeyit.com/category...
What is true love? It is depicted in the way Tej and Megha's relationship matures. This story clearly conveys that relationships get stronger with communication.
I firmly believe the key to a stronger bond is sharing exactly what is in your mind. Because the more you strangle your feelings inside the worse you are doing to your relations. Throughout the book, my mind kept screaming 'Talk, you two, please'.
My favourite scene from the story is the horse ride. The language is so apt that, I could literally imagine the couple riding horses.
I am sure to check out more books written by Leena.
For more such reviews visit - https://penitratherkeyit.com/category...
July 27, 2021
A Breathtaking & Brilliant artwork penned by Leena Varghese.
Set in picturesque of Mussoorie & Dhanaulti, this is an Eloquent Soul Stirring story of Maj Tejveer & Megha. A trailblazing theme & an engrossing story where writer has penned the emotions so well that it immediately transports the readers into the world of pratagonists Tej & Megha to feel their happiness & pain.
Set in picturesque of Mussoorie & Dhanaulti, this is an Eloquent Soul Stirring story of Maj Tejveer & Megha. A trailblazing theme & an engrossing story where writer has penned the emotions so well that it immediately transports the readers into the world of pratagonists Tej & Megha to feel their happiness & pain.
May 15, 2018
A Bittersweet Reprieve has all the zing and excitement and breathlessness of a romance.
September 27, 2017
I started reading A Bittersweet Reprieve and had to finish it in one sitting as the story of Tej and Megha pulled me in. Leena has turned indie with this book and she can feel absolutely proud of it.
Tej is a hero to die for, his character with its flaws making him a perfect protagonist. The reader can see Megha’s growth as a character between the present and the flashbacks from the past. The love scenes are hot and steamy and peppered throughout the story, a joy for all romance readers.
I so enjoyed the scenes from Mussoorie, the author’s words painting vivid pictures of the snow and the apple trees, making me want to visit the place.
What totally impressed me was the author’s language. It’s excellent and a joy to read in its flawlessness that is truly commendable.
The ending was what made the story delicious with all the little bits tied off to perfection. An out-and-out romance.
A couple of things could have worked better for me: one is the cover and another is that the story lags slightly in the middle. But I am going with 5 stars despite that since otherwise I might have had to give the book 7 stars out of5. Oh yeah, it’s that good.
VERDICT: A must read for romance lovers and those who love to read Indian fiction in English
Tej is a hero to die for, his character with its flaws making him a perfect protagonist. The reader can see Megha’s growth as a character between the present and the flashbacks from the past. The love scenes are hot and steamy and peppered throughout the story, a joy for all romance readers.
I so enjoyed the scenes from Mussoorie, the author’s words painting vivid pictures of the snow and the apple trees, making me want to visit the place.
What totally impressed me was the author’s language. It’s excellent and a joy to read in its flawlessness that is truly commendable.
The ending was what made the story delicious with all the little bits tied off to perfection. An out-and-out romance.
A couple of things could have worked better for me: one is the cover and another is that the story lags slightly in the middle. But I am going with 5 stars despite that since otherwise I might have had to give the book 7 stars out of5. Oh yeah, it’s that good.
VERDICT: A must read for romance lovers and those who love to read Indian fiction in English
December 23, 2017
A page turner, scorching romance.
'A Bittersweet Reprieve' is the story of tough, handsome Major Tejveer and elegant, suave Megha in the picturesque valley of Mussourie. The author has captured beautiful, tender moments with the two protagonists which keeps one wanting for more. The characters have depth and one tends to sympathize with the plight of both, as their lives are ripped apart by ego of one twisted character. The locales and battle scenes have been perfectly captured.
The one thing that has really added to the story is the narration, which is eloquent, smooth, professional and well edited.
A recommended read for all who love a well-paced, sensuous story.
'A Bittersweet Reprieve' is the story of tough, handsome Major Tejveer and elegant, suave Megha in the picturesque valley of Mussourie. The author has captured beautiful, tender moments with the two protagonists which keeps one wanting for more. The characters have depth and one tends to sympathize with the plight of both, as their lives are ripped apart by ego of one twisted character. The locales and battle scenes have been perfectly captured.
The one thing that has really added to the story is the narration, which is eloquent, smooth, professional and well edited.
A recommended read for all who love a well-paced, sensuous story.
April 1, 2017
I dont know about men but women when they read romances, often imagine themselves to be the heroine in the story. That's the reason , I loved the book. I could so easily relate to Megha's feelings and at the same time understand why Tej was being the way he was. There are instances in the book, when I've felt the urgent need to get inside the book and help sort out things between the two of them.
Overall, a beautifully written book!.
Overall, a beautifully written book!.
July 3, 2017
I love Indian novels and while I preferred "A Perfect Mismatch" by the same author, this was a good effort. Considering the lies that were told to both of them to end their relationship, I don't believe the way they were reunited was believable. Also, obviously it was a plot point, but having them not talk about what tore them apart until the end was a little ridiculous. But that's the formula of romance unfortunately.
February 13, 2017
The first book that I read of this author -based on a friend's recommendation. Loved it. The characters of Tej and Megha were portrayed very well! The scenes were really beautifully described. Shall check out her other books too sometime.
March 30, 2017
The book has been written in simple language. The characters are realistic and have been developed well and the feelings of both the characters have been depicted. The descriptions are detailed and even the scenic beauty of Mussourie has been described in detail and also the war scenes.
April 16, 2017
Wow!!!
Another master piece by the author there are so many human shades and love is the most powerful one..It's proved in the book... Relationships good or bad teach you a lot..All the best!!!
Another master piece by the author there are so many human shades and love is the most powerful one..It's proved in the book... Relationships good or bad teach you a lot..All the best!!!
August 10, 2017
Beautiful story
August 21, 2020
I read this book....it's was awesome, later on I read Flawless by her....
But giving review on her books on goodread, is 1st time for me.
Leena, wonderful writing... During lockdown, I again read it, just to let the things move around.... Book is something very true portray of characters and situations by author....
Tej is something, short to describe in one word...
Author has very nicely brought the basic of relation "Trust and togetherness"
Worth reading....
Wonderful read Leena. Keep writing...
But giving review on her books on goodread, is 1st time for me.
Leena, wonderful writing... During lockdown, I again read it, just to let the things move around.... Book is something very true portray of characters and situations by author....
Tej is something, short to describe in one word...
Author has very nicely brought the basic of relation "Trust and togetherness"
Worth reading....
Wonderful read Leena. Keep writing...
March 23, 2018
Utterly absorbing!
I enjoyed this story very much - the author has done a tremendous job of developing the conflict to the point that it broke my heart. I wept with the duo, Tej and Megha, as they made one awful discovery after another.
Tej is a hero as only an army man can be, and I adore him as only an army brat can!
Well done, Leena Varghese, well done, indeed!
I enjoyed this story very much - the author has done a tremendous job of developing the conflict to the point that it broke my heart. I wept with the duo, Tej and Megha, as they made one awful discovery after another.
Tej is a hero as only an army man can be, and I adore him as only an army brat can!
Well done, Leena Varghese, well done, indeed!
June 28, 2019
Awesome book
It's hard to keep the book aside once u start reading it, very beautifully written story with enhancing the issues faced by married couples their misunderstandings and then the love which overcomes all the issues
It's hard to keep the book aside once u start reading it, very beautifully written story with enhancing the issues faced by married couples their misunderstandings and then the love which overcomes all the issues
December 3, 2019
A wonderful book....you just can't put it down once you get started. Very well written story in simple language. A very apt title....infact all titles of Leena Varghese books are very innovative and apt.
May 9, 2018
This was my first book by this author and I certainly became a fan. An unputdownable romance that kept me hooked from the beginning to the end. A must read
May 7, 2019
Leena Verghese's book is a classic M&B style romance. Enjoyed it.
November 20, 2019
Beautiful
A duty bound soldier and his beautiful naive wife. The army life their fears, insecurities and their strengths are beautifully written. Loved it.
A duty bound soldier and his beautiful naive wife. The army life their fears, insecurities and their strengths are beautifully written. Loved it.
September 7, 2018
The couple had many obstacles until they finally embraced love and a happily ever after!
It was a fun read :)
It was a fun read :)
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews