The Boy with a Broken Heart

by Durjoy Dutta

You're asking me to hold your hand. And now you're turning away from me. You are saying something but I can't hear you. It's too windy. You're crying now. Now you're smiling. I'm done. I love you . . .'It's been two years since Raghu left his first love, Brahmi, on the edge of the roof one fateful night. He couldn't save her; he couldn't be with her. Having lost everything, Raghu now wants to stay hidden from the world.However, the annoyingly persistent Advaita finds his elusiveness very attractive. And the more he ignores her, the more she's drawn to him till she bulldozes her way into an unlikely friendship.What attracts at first, begins to grate. Advaita can't help but want to know what Raghu has left behind, what he's hiding, and who broke his heart. She wants to love him back to life, but for that she needs to know what wrecked him in the first place.After all, the antidote to heartache is love.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Friendship

309 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 27, 2017

Reviews

[Sukh Singh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5

One word for this book is DARK. It was not the best book I have read or something extraordinary but It keep you on edge till the last chapter. I think I liked it more than the last book. And I definitely am going to read next book (hopefully last) in this series... too much suspense.

It shows some pretty dark and true issues that are still true and happening in some places. And ending came as a shock... I wasn't expecting that.

[A.J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know man.. this could have been better.
I hate the characters but boy do I love the story.
Ha! crazy isn't it??
The plot got me hooked. The characters made me rage. The sparkling romance got me swooning but still Brahmi x Ragu forever, I don't care about the haters alright? Shut up.
And the biggest reveal was at the end- I seriously did not expect that and ooh I want a third part.. I need a third part TvT

Final rating : 3.5

[Vishal Jha · Rating 4 out of 5]

So with this, " The boy..." series comes to an end...

This series was equally gloomy and depressing with all those evils that linger in our society being described... and just like the previous book, this too gives you scary experiences... and experiences that leave you angry...
One great point being the end of the story... which is quite relieving the justice being served, the miseries ending... so it gives you some joy...

And then when the story just seems to end.... the author decides to give a final twist... and thus an indication for a third book... so let's see when that comes...

My review will be that this book and this series was a terrifying and different reading experience for me...

[Sanjita Dahal · Rating 2 out of 5]

One thing that I felt while reading this book throughout was UNNECESSARY.
Uggghhh!!
Same story line, toxic families and annoying character as first book.
So melodramatic!!!
HIGHLY DISAPPOINTED !!

[Vishal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quite a letdown from Durjoy Datta. I was reading a rom-com after long and was left disappointed with the story that felt like Hindi movies from the '90s. While I can emphasise with the story of the two girls and patriarchy which is a reality still coupled with poverty, the plot never moves and the characters are quite half-baked moving at a boorish pace. Even the villainous part in the story looks like cartoon and the main characters never get a chance to explore love cum chemistry between them. The character of the gay uncle could have been exploited well so was the love angle between Advaita and Raghu. Advaita is today's girl and together with her parents in reality, would have given it straight to evil bua and tauji. It doesn't go without saying that the author made some sensible social comments and there are certain parts that one can identify with but beyond that, the story falls flat.

[Ananya ⋆⭒˚｡⋆(less active due to exams) · Rating 3 out of 5]

WHAT THE- Seriously, this is my reaction rn, what. the. heck. I didn't expect the ending...I'm sorry I can't write this review without spoilers...Oh my god! SHE IS ALIVE!???!? What the heckkk!! Okay..ok ok...I'm alright..aghhhhh....
Let me write properly- woah...tbh the whole story was boring at many points..yes, but the last few chapters-
It has some disturbing elements which will make you angry...like how cruel people exists in this society..
I didn't enjoy the whole book...but it was the ending that got me! So much happened in the last few chapters. Wait a sec- SHE IS ALIVE?!
seriously can't say any more Idk if this is a proper review..but aghh..
It has an open ending😭.
and yes one more thing...
WHAT. THE . HECK.

[Aadhy · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best romantic author of India...This book is good but i liked the first part a bit moreee...

[Ayushi Nair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book has been described perfectly which creates alacrity among readers to read this book. Cover as well as Title of the book is catchy and truly great. This is the story of the protagonist Advaita Vaid with the journal entry. She is from a small town and lives in a joint orthodox family in Dehradun. All the elderly members of family except her parents are completely hypocrites and a promoter of caste ism. Advaita’s mother belongs to a lower caste. It was almost disgusting to read the kind of insults that were hurled at her and her daughters. If you do read the news you know in your heart that everything that has been penned down by the author happens for real in many parts of India even today. She leads a terrible life at her home where her mother and her sister are constantly abused and treated like dirt. Only if life was that simple! Situation at her home worsens as she is forced to marry a Meghnad by her bua; the same guy who was after her elder sister Divya Vaid and who did not leave any stone unturned to make her life hell. It has been two years since Brahmi jumped off the terrace and we get introduced with Raghu Ganguly through Advaita who finds his elusiveness attractive. Though she has a lot of pain of herself to tend to, she is keen on finding what happened with Raghu that left his devastated and made him run from a city like Delhi. This strange attraction soon gives way into a friendship that they would cherish forever. Advaita and Raghu share is a bond of friendship. They both meet each other by a couple of coincidence but as the story goes on they both gave there bond a tag of BEST-FRIEND. Mainly story revolve around 3 characters, Advaita, Raghu and Meghnad (Roadside romeo who have a back of his rich father and with a mindset that he can do anything to anyone). Advaita’s bua is a truly evil woman who would go to any length to insult her mother and all they can do due to the lack of money is bear with it in hope of a better tomorrow. The book rather explores the kind of atrocities or torture a woman face in a male dominated society. To top that, The book also focuses on how easy it is to tag a girl as slut. Ending of story was unpredictable as it ends with so many unanswered question. While reading this book you will start living it and connect yourself with the book. Language is simple and easy to understand. Plot of the book is amazing and characterization of every character built up in the book is awesome. Book is not too long and it is very well connected which makes it the best read. It’s combination of friendship, love, trust, sacrifice, and life.
Waiting for next boys series to know more about Raghu, Adavita and Bhrami
Overall rating 4/5 stars.
Recommend to all book lovers.

[Aditya Ojha · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting yet dramatic story one can read. It's like how some of our Indian mentality (pathetic) comes into destroy our lives. It teaches many of the stuffs one should know about relationships like family, friends and love.
I have been made curious by the author to read the next part of the book as the way he ended this book is mind boggling. One just cannot wait to read the other part to know what happens. I recommend to read it once as it's just an awesome piece of writing by Mr. Durjoy Dutta.

[Abhilash Ruhela · Rating 4 out of 5]

29th Book of 2023

I started reading books in my early 20s. Unlike many readers, I started my journey with Indian authors. They have impressed me enough as I have been able to relate with every emotion they wanted to express. All the authors I read initially have become like a family for me. I never miss reading their books even if I get a chance after years due to other reading schedule in pipeline. I just completed reading Durjoy Datta’s “the boy with a broken heart” which was in my bookshelf since last 6 years. It’s the 2nd book in “The Boy” series- the 1st being “the boy who loved”.

This 327-pages book published by Penguin Random House is one of the most difficult books I have ever read. I had never imagined Durjoy getting so dark in his writings. There was a time I would write reviews complaining about the amount of sex he would add in his stories. I am just unable to comprehend how can the same author write something so deep which happens in such parts of India which isn’t exposed to many of us who have lived life in better cities/localities.

The book is again written in the form of diary entries – but this time from the girl’s perspective by the protagonist, Advaita. The initial part of the book is about her introduction along with complete detailing of her family. The initial pages describe the kind of life she and her sister, Divya, have spent since childhood. It is really tough going through the events. It makes you shift uncomfortably while reading as it becomes tough to relate and imagine a human being going through such bullying and violence since childhood.

Durjoy tries to explain how few Indian families have been under such patriarchal influence that they just don’t realize the kind of crimes they commit on daily basis. The book goes deep into making us realize how one human being can be so merciless towards another. Almost every character around Advaita except her parents are wild and wicked. Each one of them have a distinct type of evilness. I have felt lump in my throat so many times while going through this story that I wished to take action against any kind of bully I find in my life. That’s the impact this book has left upon me. I don’t know if that’s what Durjoy wanted to leave with his readers after they finish the book but this is how it has affected me.

There are various social issues about which Durjoy has focused upon ensuring that he doesn’t sound preachy at all. The book talks about how mean not only men but women of the family can also be. I am glad Durjoy took this stand as it’s only men who are being blamed in the name of patriarchy whereas the author tries to emphasize upon the point that even women can be equally harmful as men in a family. How the birth of boys is treated against girls is described very well in form of Advaita’s cousin brothers. Even their worst mischiefs are accepted and celebrated whereas Advaita and her sister are blamed and punished for just being themselves.

Through the character of Meghnad, we get to see the consequences of how few Indian families nourish boys that all they know about their existence is that they can tease and molest girls physically and emotionally without any fear and boundaries. The scenes where he forces Advaita to be with him are really tough to read and imagine. The story also throws light upon the way gay community in our country ends up living without ever letting anyone know about their sexual orientation. Durjoy also gets into how few Indian families never get to speak for themselves just because the man of the family is not powerful enough to take stand against others who try to oppress them.

Along with all of these concerns and many others, the book is also about friendship, hope, dreams, change, love, luck, redemption, belief, ambition etc. It is a fine read to experience the evolving relationship between Raghu and Advaita. The commitment that both of them shows towards each other – not exactly in respect to love but affection is nicely portrayed. The love between the sisters- Advaita and Divya reflects how few siblings always take stand for each other without being jealous or wicked.

The pre-climax is something that finally brings smile on the face of the readers who have gone through the trauma and pain for the first 300-pages. I liked how the whole sub-plot has been drafted by Durjoy. Finally, climax is something that doesn’t look relatable as, otherwise, the book feels like a real story whereas, here, it gets little Bollywood-ish. I wished Durjoy hadn’t gone on this path right at the end of the story which takes away the personal touch from the book. The last page of the book ensures that there could be a 3rd part of this series as well even though the synopsis mentions that this is just two-part romance series. But anyway, book ends at a very interesting turn where we can comprehend that the story can go in any direction and we might get to read something very magical again from Durjoy.

Overall, I must say that be ready to feel disturbed and shed few tears and relate with the trauma of the main characters if you are thinking of picking this book up. It will change you as a person forever and you won’t hurt anyone even a bit after this. It teaches us empathy in a very rare manner. I give this book 4.25 stars out of 5. I had to take away 0.25 stars just because of the Bollywood-ish end otherwise this book is a recommended read for sure if you have strong heart to bear the pain of the characters.

Thanks!

WRITING BUDDHA

[Subhomita · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best book by him. The series is full of angst , real life issues. It may be a bit uncomfortable for many readers but fromm the 1st book of this series , I was hooked into it. This series(2 books until now) proves the potential of the writer. I would recommend this to everyone who is a sucker for angsty romance. 10/10.

[Aparna Pandey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Depressing, too much dramatic

Used to like his novels but this sequel is a way too much dramatic and depressing to the core... After reading started feeling life is like no joy and not at all in the mood read the upcoming version

[Chaitanya Bathia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read, with one sided emotions expressed well. The characters and their lives were something that felt real. A bit of exaggeration here and there, but overall a good experience. I liked it.

[Satish Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the finest books I ever read.I had completed both part1 and part2 in just 3 days can't wait for next sequel

[Priyanka Gunasekaran · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just by looking at the title, we may think that book revolves around a boy, but this book stands out from our prediction.

The book begins with a girl who has started writing about her everyday happenings in a diary. In the prologue, the girl called Advaita begins to share her important decisions, and she never dreamt this would actually happen.

Typically, Advaita was born to a couple, Prakash and Nilima. Nilima was not accepted by Prakash's family because of her caste. Prakash’s father and sister never accepted their marriage or their kids. Advaita has an elder sister, Divya. Their life was pitiful because her father was physically challenged and they completely depended on her grandpa’s money. But Advaita deeply believes that one fine day they will earn enough and leave this place to live somewhere peaceful.

In between, they faced a lot of different struggles, like Advaita Chacha, who was in love with Abdul (Nilima’s helper), getting married to a woman because of family pressure; Abdul being brutally beaten and dying in the hospital; Advaita’s sister Divya deciding to move to Delhi to pursue her modelling career; and Advaita meeting a boy who knows her name and everything about her, but he remains a stranger to her.

When she tries to know more about him, she finds out that he lives far away in an abandoned place and he takes classes for students. After multiple attempts, he finds the boy's name is Raghu, and also he supports people who are on the edge of suicide or harming themselves. Advaita knows he was hurt and something is bothering him.

In spite of getting out of her pitiful life, she even tried to help Raghu overcome his pain and live his life. She turned out to be his best friend. But for Raghu it was different. She was the hope for him to live his life. What the past that brothers Raghu and Advaita did to find a way for him/her family is the rest of the story.

Although the book ends with a twist? Who is Brahmi Sharma? Is she alive? Happy reading!

[Arzoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I read this book few days back and I still can't bring myself to write down a review. So I'll just scribble everything down. It was I don't know how to describe it but yeah a gripping tale.

The way Durjoy datta calls attention to the reality of many Indian households is just commendable. Status of women in our society, Life of a typical Indian girl and how the 'izzat' of the family rests on the daughters, and how stalking and stuff is referred to as 'things boys do', caste system and the humiliation faced by lower class people (I wonder how can some people consider themselves superior and brag about something that is so inequitable), difficulties faced by LGBT community (Eh! How humans humiliate humans. Pathetic), body shaming, domestic violence, dowry system & how arduous interfaith marriages can get here in our country, how divorced daughters become a burden to their parents. (okay sorry for jumping from one thing to another. Seh lo thoda!). Ultimately this book describes how cruel humans can be.

Okay! About the characters; It had too many strong characters but I liked Sumitra the most. She was such a brave woman. The world was so inhumane to her yet she accepted everything gracefully. She was kind and humble. Even after all that she suffered she still believed in humanity. I sooooo look up to her.

And and and Raghu (new book boyfriend unlocked) ohhhhh... He has my heart ❤ My grumpy baby 🥺 also, he makes the finest chai (who wouldn't fall in love with him). Can't wait to marry him!!!!!!!!

The starting was a bit boring though. But after a few pages it was unputdownable. I have felt almost every kind of emotion there is while reading this book. The harsh realities of this world are truly disappointing (no matter how many different times you read them). Kadwa sach. But then no matter how vast the ocean of hate is, a drop of love is enough :)

[thebookaliciousgirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished reading this book today and I'm still thinking about it, Idk why I can't stop thinking about the ending, it was really painful. I cried a lot before the ending, it was really heartbreaking to read it. I really loved the first part of this series "The boy who loved" and this year I read the second part and tbh I didn't expected a lot from this one to turn out this good, but you know what Durjoy Datta's books can never disappoint you.❤️And as like I was blown out, the people of booktube community really said that this book disappointed them a lot but this book surprised me and now it's my fav one after the first part. You would not expect the ending, but it will seriously shook you off. Raghu is such a green flag, tbh I was feeling so bad for him and thinking if by any chance/magic I could go inside the book and be with him. Being a girl, reading about the female heroine Advaita Vaid is so hurtful, her story literally revolves around domestic violence from her family, it's really painful to read it. The ending has really broken my heart, I literally wanted something good with/for Raghu but you know destiny never plays the role of happiness and how it changes always, and and wants a twistful life for every one of us.✨
Overall, it's an easy teen romance book with a lot of twists and turns, it will really hook you up till the end. It has all the roller coaster of emotions. You can't put the book down once U start it.🌸 (I so want to discuss about the plot twist with you all, but I want you all to find it out by yourself, so I can't share the plot twist of the story)
And lastly, I just want to say that I'm so desperately, eagerly and passionately waiting to read the third/last part of this series, I can't describe it in words, how badly I want that book to come out. I want to know about Raghu, where did he disappeared??? 👤

[Kanwarpal Singh · Rating 3 out of 5]

The boy with broken heart : Part 2 just come to end and this part is full of ups and down, mostly gloomy and with a melancholy and sadness it's all the from love to friendship, action to romance, pervertness , and caring nature, family issue and turmoil breaking of the bond with family, and teh down trodded thinking of people this novels show the wide variety of subjects, short coming of society with their orthodox thinking destroy lifes of many who are innocent, the egos of family Belong to high cases, male shovenished society egos all we shown in it, but the path is to find a way out of it...
The story about a family for whom fake pride is more important then their own children happiness, a family with pride about being belong to high caste but life have it's way to make people realise only caste can't get you family happiness. The greed , the orthodox believe , racism, fake pride, hunger for money and power. In all this children of the house got messed up and the bitterness of their parents get to them, a rebel girl take it all and she challenge there egos and rubbed it quite few times and to take revenge and bend there head low she did something she has to do for her family, our hero Raghu , lost his love but after Delhi he settled in dehradun and started classes to teach IIT to students and his friendship with Advaita make him a better person and she comes to know about his past and his love and later when the beat down moment came the brothers who family things to be a black spot joined hand for there loved ones safety , things started falling to place , and Raghu friends came to his rescue, and they saved but in the end when Meghnad provoke to get revenge from Advaita , and Raghu did something that Arundhati might have faced and take his revenge on him for his beat down. Author did a clever thing to not to complete it here.

[Shayan Sengupta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very disappointed with the first part. It was just another typical love story with ups and downs. Only a few topics were discussed with a little blend of spice. However, this sequel to the previous version was a perfect blend of penmanship and romance.
It discussed the majority of dominant problems with our country like casteism, untouchability, dowry, treating homosexuality as a disease, materialism, patriarchy etc. This sequel to "The boy who loved" did it's best in character development and emotion build up. It was very hard for me to leave reading once I got into the story. This sequel successfully filled all the loopholes and question left by the previous book. Even though the story was bit filmy at some points, one could not easily guess the pace of the story which makes it unpredictable for the reader.
Language is pretty easy for most of the readers to comprehend. As a literature admirer, it took me only 4 hours to complete 300+ pages. The ending might be satisfying or disappointing to you. It completely depends on reader's perspective. It is a rare case when the sequel surpasses the original version's glory.

[Mahesh Jain · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is called the boy with a broken heart, where as I felt the male character was like a side actor and story revolved around the female character all throughout. So the title , the girl with a beautiful heart could have been a better suited title . The story take lots of twist and turn and like a movie the moment you feel now every thing is going like a regular stuff there is change of plot. What is the best part is the ending of the book, the whole agenda on which the boy was with the broken heart is based still remains unanswered. There is tragedy and you feel shocked towards the end when you read the last chapter. The book leaves you hooked like a webseries which is holding you and asking you that there will be season 2 , so stay tuned. This way the author durjoy dutta brings out connection with the audience. I had read the previous book by him named "till the last breath" which was equally engaging and this book seems like the similar love story kind but with a different setup and different plot. Seems like after chaten bhagat, durjoy dutta is my next fav. Indian author . Go pick his book, these are worth reading.

[Roma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because I had read the Part I in this trilogy which I immensely liked, this book seemed like an obvious choice. Sequel to the story which left you longing for more. This book too is a great read.


The story starts from 2 years later after Brahmi's incident. Interestingly the protagonist here is Advaita who writes the diary and not Raghu. Everything portrayed through her eyes. All the characters are beautifully developed with distinctive characteristics of their own. You will truly abhor the cruel characters such brilliant is the narration.


The book is a fast paced book giving readers the pleasure of getting involved. At some places I found this book a bit filmy but book tried to create positivity by focussing on hope unlike last which at times felt like glorifying suicide.


The end of the book has a twist which one could have never imagined. The end is happy as well as sad. But most certainly not like the last book which left you heavy.


A nice read. My rating 4/5

Follow my book review on Https:/readitbyroma.blogspot.in

[Dr Kashmira Gohil · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story is traditional, old wine tried to be served in a new glass.
A family with two young sisters, Divya and advaita, harassed and abused in a traditional family due to low caste mother, crippled father and just being a girl gender. They try to escape. The boy, raghu, love for the girl brahmi gone ruge. The. 'love cum friendship' between him and Advaita made him do the things to save her and her family.
The story opened on a good note and even succeeded in gripping, in the initial chapters. But the moment, the boy raghu's story started in flashback in the form of his diary, it was sheer boredom till last. Also, it looked like, this book is 2, the mid of 1st one-raghu's past and the 3rd one, due to uncertain end. but this is the only book I guess. Random comes to mind.
2 stars for this one.

[aditya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its that kind a book which can make you sleepless

It's a fascinating story still if u haven't read it's first part "the boy who loved" it would all fly above your head. What I personally feel about it is like at the end I was feeling like something is left I mean that dead girl brahmi suddenly comes up and the author hadn't even wrote what happened to Raghu after that. Whether his friends found him or not. I don't know if there's gonna be third part but if it comes out it'll rock out the market

[Nishi · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a masterpiece. it was so fucking relatable at some points and so infuriating at some.

it hurts so see that the world out there is cruel up to a point where evil and satanic are just a thin line apart.

my heart feels heavy as i write this i didn't expect it to end on a cliff hanger.

I'm speechless that i don't know how to write what i feel.

both the mmc and fmc's friendship really made me believe in platonic soulmates.

the darkness of this book made me realise that some families are on a really different type of toxic level. and it really sucks.

[Sonakshi · Rating 5 out of 5]

i dont know how to explain the palpable love i feel for advaita and raghu and little hatred towards Brahmi. the book was so cute that i can imagine a movie going in my ind . want the next part asap. i think i have read this book 3rd time. and everytime my heart and my feeling goes up or down low and high. if advaita's diary threw and thrashed my heart then raghu's one diary entry was a brick . but nonetheless i loved the book.i think that how Durjoy can think of so many storeies ..ok loved it but ending is.......

[Saptarshi Mondal · Rating 3 out of 5]

maybe I didn't like it that much since the narrative shifted from Raghu Ganguly to Adwaita(I read it quite long ago, don't really recall her name), and since in her Pov, Raghu became more like a rogue rather than the lover nerd. but yeah, it was definitely a good read, and Durjoy Dutta really did injustice ending this book and series such a way, when I really expect a Third book on this from Brahmi's Pov(okay, she is alive, it's a spoiler)
Anyways, recommended only if u reallllyyyyyy liked The Boy who loved

happy reading ♥️

[Mrigendra Patel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read couple of books from Durjoy, and every time the story used to stuck in my head for couple of days. This book didn't have that impact. Though the story line went just fine, and sometimes you may feel pity for Raghu, but at the end it's a fiction love story where Raghu is doing what you may never do :D

Overall a good timepass read, specially if you want to read a broken heard sad sort of love story then go ahead.

[Radhika Metkar · Rating 4 out of 5]

The summary is quite misleading towards the actual development of the plot but in a surprisingly tasteful and unexpectedly good way. I love the clear distinction between friendship and love exhibited by the character even during utter moments of despair and crisis where often emotions are not that rationally separable. The ending seemed rather unnecessary, a third book can be expected but the book could've easily ended on a bittersweet note.

[ArcmelaEsseleno · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the first half of this book in the last week of December 2022, but I forgot to mark it as currently read. Perhaps because the first half of the story failed to pique my interest, but as the story progressed, it began to make sense to me. The second half has engulfed me, and I have to read it as quickly as I can to keep up the momentum.

[Izzie ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book more than the 1st part I really like how the story progressed and it was such a roller coaster and the end when they get to know that bramhi is alive it was such a shock honestly
I really wanted raghu to end up with advita I really wish there is another part with a proper ending !!!!!