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EX ...a twisted love story
What will you do if one day a svelte and sexy girl comes up to you and says she is your ex ? And the only thing you know about her is that you don't know anything about her.
Neel, an aspiring author, meets Nivrita at the Jaipur Literary Festival. Though Nivrita says she is his ex, he remembers nothing and yet everything about her seems to lure him to unravel the mystery she personifies. The more he is drawn to her, the more Neel feels guilty because he is already in a steady relationship with Titiksha, the love of his life.
When Nivrita makes a tempting offer to Neel, which he accepts for his own good, his life slowly begins to spiral out of control while Titiksha starts turning into a stranger until Neel realizes there's much more than his eyes can see and mind can recollect.
Novoneel Chakraborty, bestselling author of A Thing Beyond Forever, That Kiss In the Rain and How About a Sin Tonight? brings forth yet another poignant story, twisted in essence. EX will make you drop your jaws wide open.
Neel, an aspiring author, meets Nivrita at the Jaipur Literary Festival. Though Nivrita says she is his ex, he remembers nothing and yet everything about her seems to lure him to unravel the mystery she personifies. The more he is drawn to her, the more Neel feels guilty because he is already in a steady relationship with Titiksha, the love of his life.
When Nivrita makes a tempting offer to Neel, which he accepts for his own good, his life slowly begins to spiral out of control while Titiksha starts turning into a stranger until Neel realizes there's much more than his eyes can see and mind can recollect.
Novoneel Chakraborty, bestselling author of A Thing Beyond Forever, That Kiss In the Rain and How About a Sin Tonight? brings forth yet another poignant story, twisted in essence. EX will make you drop your jaws wide open.
286 pages, Unknown Binding
First published October 7, 2013
94 people are currently reading
1705 people want to read
About the author
Novoneel Chakraborty
31 books1,204 followersNovoneel Chakraborty's books have touched thousands of souls across India. He is a full time author, screenwriter and a blogger.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
March 17, 2014
while I was reading this story guessing what kind of plot this story as, at 1st I thought it's a teenage love story... after few pages I thought no its a romantic adult story, later oops it's a psychic story.... Omg I am totally wrong it's a crime story... and I finally finished the book and got to know what story it is... I am just going to say it's a twisted story... It's really a page turner having a time for it is not a bad thing to do... so try on your own to taste the twist...
July 12, 2015
"
Novotastic !!
What is this book doing here? This should be at the top of the "All-time-best-Indian-Author-Books" . Books like these aren't much appreciated by the masses. The only way to get the attention of the Indian people is to include Sex,explicit content and adult comedy. Any other story which doesn't include this is considered 'Boring' or 'waste'. Novoneel Is perhaps the ' Romantic-Thriller Writer in India' This Book is a Psychological Love story.
Near Flawless and a sure 4 Pointer
I don't know about you guys, But this book is inspired by the Hollywood film, " The Game -1997 ". Only difference is that the setting in the book (Love/Relationship) . This book is a 70% Xerox of the movie I mentioned.
But However, Every author is inspired by something or someone. In this case, He was inspired by this movie. The author did his best to conceal this fact but at the climax, It seemed so obvious. I saw that movie some 4 years back, Yet When i read the climax, This movie came to my mind.
Those who haven't seen that movie will find this Book Amazing :D
Hats off For Novo.. *Cheers*
What is this book doing here? This should be at the top of the "All-time-best-Indian-Author-Books" . Books like these aren't much appreciated by the masses. The only way to get the attention of the Indian people is to include Sex,explicit content and adult comedy. Any other story which doesn't include this is considered 'Boring' or 'waste'. Novoneel Is perhaps the ' Romantic-Thriller Writer in India' This Book is a Psychological Love story.
Near Flawless and a sure 4 Pointer
I don't know about you guys, But this book is inspired by the Hollywood film, " The Game -1997 ". Only difference is that the setting in the book (Love/Relationship) . This book is a 70% Xerox of the movie I mentioned.
But However, Every author is inspired by something or someone. In this case, He was inspired by this movie. The author did his best to conceal this fact but at the climax, It seemed so obvious. I saw that movie some 4 years back, Yet When i read the climax, This movie came to my mind.
Those who haven't seen that movie will find this Book Amazing :D
Hats off For Novo.. *Cheers*
December 21, 2016
like arvind adiga even novoneel deserves a manbooker. I mean what I mean.
October 21, 2013
Its a perfect story to grip you till the end and almost what you try and think about the suspense it will prove you wrong rarely very very few people may guess it right. I truly recommend it to people who like to read suspense books :)
There are a few editing errors and spelling mistakes that i found. Apart from this, even if a few sex scenes would have been removed it would have done fine - for me it was little overdo specially in the initial part only.
Over all its a good suspense novel :D Kudos Novo, waiting for you next one! (Y) :)
There are a few editing errors and spelling mistakes that i found. Apart from this, even if a few sex scenes would have been removed it would have done fine - for me it was little overdo specially in the initial part only.
Over all its a good suspense novel :D Kudos Novo, waiting for you next one! (Y) :)
May 31, 2017
It was a recommendation from my friend. I don't regret reading this as it was easily finished.T he concept is old . Author has tried his maximum effort, some parts are good. The exchange between the teens and their confusion was quite genuine. What I didn't enjoy was the grown up version of Neel.Really? Was it really surprising? No, as I said the concept is really old and it was no mystery where all the twists were leading me to. But it was a good attempt.My friend has also recommended Stranger series which may be better being his later works, hopefully the author progresses in his work.The gist :
What will you do if one day a svelte and sexy girl comes up to you and says she is your ex ? And the only thing you know about her is that you don't know anything about her.
Neel, an aspiring author, meets Nivrita at the Jaipur Literary Festival. Though Nivrita says she is his ex, he remembers nothing and yet everything about her seems to lure him to unravel the mystery she personifies. The more he is drawn to her, the more Neel feels guilty because he is already in a steady relationship with Titiksha, the love of his life.
When Nivrita makes a tempting offer to Neel, which he accepts for his own good, his life slowly begins to spiral out of control while Titiksha starts turning into a stranger until Neel realizes there's much more than his eyes can see and mind can recollect.
It was an ok read.
What will you do if one day a svelte and sexy girl comes up to you and says she is your ex ? And the only thing you know about her is that you don't know anything about her.
Neel, an aspiring author, meets Nivrita at the Jaipur Literary Festival. Though Nivrita says she is his ex, he remembers nothing and yet everything about her seems to lure him to unravel the mystery she personifies. The more he is drawn to her, the more Neel feels guilty because he is already in a steady relationship with Titiksha, the love of his life.
When Nivrita makes a tempting offer to Neel, which he accepts for his own good, his life slowly begins to spiral out of control while Titiksha starts turning into a stranger until Neel realizes there's much more than his eyes can see and mind can recollect.
It was an ok read.
May 14, 2019
Highly predictable story from its beginning. Author unnecessarily extended the story with plots and situations to confuse readers. It also have some kind of perversion. Obviously not a good story.
April 19, 2023
Concept: 3.0/5.0
Execution: 3.0/5.0
Characters Bespoken: 3.0/5.0
World Building: 3.0/5.0
Cover: 3.75/5.0
Writing Style: 4.0/5.0
Overall: 3.15/5.0
Execution: 3.0/5.0
Characters Bespoken: 3.0/5.0
World Building: 3.0/5.0
Cover: 3.75/5.0
Writing Style: 4.0/5.0
Overall: 3.15/5.0
January 19, 2025
Not your typical Indian romance, written in acceptable book language with a thrilling plot that keeps you hooked till the end
June 20, 2015
He's done it before. And he's done it again! This writer sure knows how to weave an interesting and unique story and then add MORE peculiar twists to it. His That Kiss In The Rain and A Thing Beyond Forever have stayed my favorite till today and this one didn't disappoint me either.
However, some things I'd like to say about this book:
The writing could be a tad bit better considering he's already penned A Thing Beyond Forever where in my opinion, his writing was marvelous and eloquent. This one seemed amateur at a few bits here and there. Also, his habit of throwing in company names left and right, gave it an impression of a movie with blatant product placement.
Other than that Neel saying that he slept with Nivrita only for his book(which later Neel keeps repeating to make us believe it) was also not true. He slept with her out of lust. It's as simple and clear as that. Whatever. Denial, I get it. As the story progresses, Nivrita is shown to be annoying Neel and he doesn't want to have to do anything to do with her. But later on in the end he jumps for her because of some obligation(?) or for correcting his wrong(?) and the story ends with her telling him "Just say you love me" or something like that. How can he love Nivrita now?? I mean he's a different person now and she's a different person now. He lusts for her,sure, and one can't blame him for it. But he's also not in love with her like before anymore. He has only heard his story and even if he believes it, he cannot love someone just because. That didn't make much sense to me. If only Mr. Novoneel had shown Nivrita and Neel getting closer as the story unfolds would it make sense.
But whatever, I actually liked this book and am glad to have read it. I'd like to end this review with a paragraph from the book which I'd say was a gem for me and This paragraph summed up our generation so well. And it almost made up for his not-that-awesome writing.
"My generation went to school but we were not merely school students. There was nothing innocent about us. And we definitely weren’t ignorant about anything. It was all there right in front of us: from the latest development in the cosmos to the latest adult MMS. With such information available to us 24X7, how could anyone be innocent? It was like how certain fruit sellers force-ripen the fruits and make them ready for selling. My generation was getting forced-ripened just like that. Growth-wise, our mind was ahead of our body. Hence our inner self was naturally a breeding ground for a lot of shit because everyone, including me, was a school going adult. At sixteen we behaved like twenty five, we said slangs with ease, we were casual and experimental with our sexuality, we searched for love because our hormones wanted us to and not because our heart felt the need to, we were selfish, we had no clue what our culture was all about, what freedom was for our previous generations, seemed like a cage for us because we wanted to leap ahead where our predecessors had stopped out of fear and shame. We didn’t complain about each other to parents anymore, rather we showed middle fingers and bitched it out, we were ready to fight, we liked noise, we loved chaos, we kissed and smooched at the drop of a hat because the American television series told us that’s the ‘cool’ thing to do. We watched porn more than we prayed. We were a group of attention-seekers and emotion-haters. So yes, our generation had come a long way from Yo-didun’ s. And the gap was so much that our elders, our education system, or our own morals no longer could teach us a better way to grow up into mature adults. And whenever they tried to change us, we had our middle fingers ready for them too. We were a fuck-all generation."
Keep them good stories coming Mr Chakraborty!!
However, some things I'd like to say about this book:
The writing could be a tad bit better considering he's already penned A Thing Beyond Forever where in my opinion, his writing was marvelous and eloquent. This one seemed amateur at a few bits here and there. Also, his habit of throwing in company names left and right, gave it an impression of a movie with blatant product placement.
Other than that Neel saying that he slept with Nivrita only for his book(which later Neel keeps repeating to make us believe it) was also not true. He slept with her out of lust. It's as simple and clear as that. Whatever. Denial, I get it. As the story progresses, Nivrita is shown to be annoying Neel and he doesn't want to have to do anything to do with her. But later on in the end he jumps for her because of some obligation(?) or for correcting his wrong(?) and the story ends with her telling him "Just say you love me" or something like that. How can he love Nivrita now?? I mean he's a different person now and she's a different person now. He lusts for her,sure, and one can't blame him for it. But he's also not in love with her like before anymore. He has only heard his story and even if he believes it, he cannot love someone just because. That didn't make much sense to me. If only Mr. Novoneel had shown Nivrita and Neel getting closer as the story unfolds would it make sense.
But whatever, I actually liked this book and am glad to have read it. I'd like to end this review with a paragraph from the book which I'd say was a gem for me and This paragraph summed up our generation so well. And it almost made up for his not-that-awesome writing.
"My generation went to school but we were not merely school students. There was nothing innocent about us. And we definitely weren’t ignorant about anything. It was all there right in front of us: from the latest development in the cosmos to the latest adult MMS. With such information available to us 24X7, how could anyone be innocent? It was like how certain fruit sellers force-ripen the fruits and make them ready for selling. My generation was getting forced-ripened just like that. Growth-wise, our mind was ahead of our body. Hence our inner self was naturally a breeding ground for a lot of shit because everyone, including me, was a school going adult. At sixteen we behaved like twenty five, we said slangs with ease, we were casual and experimental with our sexuality, we searched for love because our hormones wanted us to and not because our heart felt the need to, we were selfish, we had no clue what our culture was all about, what freedom was for our previous generations, seemed like a cage for us because we wanted to leap ahead where our predecessors had stopped out of fear and shame. We didn’t complain about each other to parents anymore, rather we showed middle fingers and bitched it out, we were ready to fight, we liked noise, we loved chaos, we kissed and smooched at the drop of a hat because the American television series told us that’s the ‘cool’ thing to do. We watched porn more than we prayed. We were a group of attention-seekers and emotion-haters. So yes, our generation had come a long way from Yo-didun’ s. And the gap was so much that our elders, our education system, or our own morals no longer could teach us a better way to grow up into mature adults. And whenever they tried to change us, we had our middle fingers ready for them too. We were a fuck-all generation."
Keep them good stories coming Mr Chakraborty!!
July 13, 2014
Novoneel Chakraborty came out with his 4th book, "EX- a twisted love story" on 7th October, 2013. I have finally read it today and I regret that I didn't read it for all these months that the book was in my shelf. The sole reason for postponing this book was its title "EX". I thought it's going to be that typical love story where the protagonist would get confused if he should go back to his ex-partner or move ahead in life and will eventually end up being with the EX. But now when I am done reading this, I am shocked to find that the book belongs to psychological-romantic-revenge thriller. And the author also claims it to be inspired by a true story. If it is, I must say that the book is written very well and holds you right from the beginning to the end.
It's not easy to write about certain topics keeping Indian readers in mind but it's great that Novoneel managed to show guts by publishing this story. It has all the elements that will surprise and shock you with each page. The suspense has been kept very wonderfully throughout the book that does not make you predict what the climax will be. I had 3-4 versions of my own climax while I was reading the book but the way it has ended has surprised me. Definitely, Novoneel has hit the jackpot with this genre. His writing style has just improved immensely if you compare him with his previous books though they were masterpieces themselves. The way two stories are narrated alternatively is what makes you define Novoneel as a writer who has command on his thoughts and knows how to put in on paper that could manage his readers stay for all the pages that they will turn while reading.
The character of Neel is treated very well in spite of it being so dramatic at times. The way he has been defined initially is what makes his character so special for the rest of the book. The description of Jaipur Lit Fest is exciting and interests you as soon as you have just begun with the story. Managing to write about the character of Titiksha would have been another challenge for the author as she has so much wicked things about her to be discussed without making the writer look ugly and dirty with his thoughts. The only drawback that I felt at times while reading the book was its speed. Too much time has been consumed in explaining the nature of the protagonists. It's just the suspense that does not let you put the book aside but I wish the book could have been 50-pages thinner. I wish to give it 4 but I would cut .25 for stretching the story. So it's 3.75/5. This is the 4th time when Novoneel Chakraborty gets the same rating from me. :-)
Thanks.
ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU!!!
March 5, 2021
5 star for the twist... It was mind blowing twist.. my 1st Novoneel book n I like it
January 31, 2016
Let me tell you this- don’t judge a book by its cover. This book genuinely needs a better cover- one that accentuates the thriller, the mystery, the suspense, and the hide-n-seek guessing game in it. I hope it is republished soon with a better cover design for fresh marketing. Yellow and black just doesn’t appeal.
Neel Chakroborty is a not-so-cool yet intriguing a character. He has breathing problems, can’t stand smoke. He chokes and suffocates. He has a kind of acute attention phobia that has him prefer his father’s car- the one with black tinted glass, to ride in, to the taxis and auto-rickshaws. His decision to quit his job to pursue his passion of being a writer takes him to the Jaipur Lit Fest, for about a week, away from his live-in girlfriend Titiksha- a very courageous step on his part to travel anywhere alone. There he meets Nivrita, the mysterious alluring damsel who introduces herself as his ‘Ex’ rather jokingly.
It is one unputdownable book, recommended to all thriller lovers. I rate it a four out of five stars. I’m waiting more of Novoneel’s works, especially the final book in the Stranger trilogy. Hope it would be all worth the wait.
Neel Chakroborty is a not-so-cool yet intriguing a character. He has breathing problems, can’t stand smoke. He chokes and suffocates. He has a kind of acute attention phobia that has him prefer his father’s car- the one with black tinted glass, to ride in, to the taxis and auto-rickshaws. His decision to quit his job to pursue his passion of being a writer takes him to the Jaipur Lit Fest, for about a week, away from his live-in girlfriend Titiksha- a very courageous step on his part to travel anywhere alone. There he meets Nivrita, the mysterious alluring damsel who introduces herself as his ‘Ex’ rather jokingly.
It is one unputdownable book, recommended to all thriller lovers. I rate it a four out of five stars. I’m waiting more of Novoneel’s works, especially the final book in the Stranger trilogy. Hope it would be all worth the wait.
March 19, 2016
To begin with , the book had an amazing start. Very gripping,kept me hooked till 150 pages or so,I read 50 more pages,trying to satiate my inquisitiveness. . but as I moved ahead with the story,it became difficult to read on .What felt very exciting and captivating in the beginning became a drag.
As I slowly approached towards the ending,what I most liked was the story inside the story,it was nice ,a bit filmy but still good. But once the mystery unfolded, things made sense from the story's perspective but felt weird from a reality pov (I heard myself say,really! Who does that?). . but nevertheless I enjoyed it more than any other book by an Indian author of the same genre.
And though a bit dissatisfied with the story ,I really liked the writing style. Not to forget,i came across some really nice quotes/lines about life and love ,which can really stop you for a while and make you ponder . All in all ,a one time read ,for anyone and everyone who want a quick and light read without having to stress on the narration style and at the mean time get entertained.
As I slowly approached towards the ending,what I most liked was the story inside the story,it was nice ,a bit filmy but still good. But once the mystery unfolded, things made sense from the story's perspective but felt weird from a reality pov (I heard myself say,really! Who does that?). . but nevertheless I enjoyed it more than any other book by an Indian author of the same genre.
And though a bit dissatisfied with the story ,I really liked the writing style. Not to forget,i came across some really nice quotes/lines about life and love ,which can really stop you for a while and make you ponder . All in all ,a one time read ,for anyone and everyone who want a quick and light read without having to stress on the narration style and at the mean time get entertained.
June 11, 2021
Summary -
Neel's intense passion for writing takes him to Jaipur Literary Fest where he meets Nivrita. Nivrita is enticing, seductive and editor of a leading publishing house. She tells Neel that she is her Ex but he can't remember a thing about the temptress. Later, Nivrita gives an offer to Neel that is impossible to resist and he finds himself falling deeper in her trap. Soon, his relationship with his girlfriend Titiksha is jeopardized due to his decisions. Neev must find his way back to reality before he completely loses his identity and sanity.
Review -
Even though I'm a die hard fan of Novoneel and quite used to his insane plots, this book felt batshit crazy to me. Ofcourse the mystery was indecipherable and the climax left my mind reeling, but the major plot twist was more annoying than amazing. Neel's character felt a bit shallow and underdeveloped which made him boring. The book is entirely psychological and i found the love story toxic instead of romantic.
Neel's intense passion for writing takes him to Jaipur Literary Fest where he meets Nivrita. Nivrita is enticing, seductive and editor of a leading publishing house. She tells Neel that she is her Ex but he can't remember a thing about the temptress. Later, Nivrita gives an offer to Neel that is impossible to resist and he finds himself falling deeper in her trap. Soon, his relationship with his girlfriend Titiksha is jeopardized due to his decisions. Neev must find his way back to reality before he completely loses his identity and sanity.
Review -
Even though I'm a die hard fan of Novoneel and quite used to his insane plots, this book felt batshit crazy to me. Ofcourse the mystery was indecipherable and the climax left my mind reeling, but the major plot twist was more annoying than amazing. Neel's character felt a bit shallow and underdeveloped which made him boring. The book is entirely psychological and i found the love story toxic instead of romantic.
December 29, 2013
‘Ex’ by Novoneel Chakraborty was a surprise. It’s definitely a complex crooked twisted love story delivered in the forced First Person format that is a favorite with the authors and the readers. You definitely tend to more relate to them.
What sells now days- Love- romance-sex and the thought of it. So the line at the back cover ‘To get to his heart, she seduced his mind’ seems just that- as it does not do any justice to the storyline. Though the title EX does do justice to the lines ‘What will you do if one day a svelte and sexy girl comes up to you and says she is your EX? And the only thing you know about her is that you don’t know anything about her.’
more at http://sanjeevkotnala.com/ex/
What sells now days- Love- romance-sex and the thought of it. So the line at the back cover ‘To get to his heart, she seduced his mind’ seems just that- as it does not do any justice to the storyline. Though the title EX does do justice to the lines ‘What will you do if one day a svelte and sexy girl comes up to you and says she is your EX? And the only thing you know about her is that you don’t know anything about her.’
more at http://sanjeevkotnala.com/ex/
October 24, 2013
It's a perfect show stealer. There's no ifs and buts in this love story.
There's only how, what and why's. It makes you go through endless emotions and make you pass through a bridge of uncertainty.
The author has not put a foot wrong in the book and the way it is narrated from the first till the last page it's mesmerizing.
Plenty of surprises for the readers and a story so gripping even the guessing game would go for a toss.
Get in the shoes of Neel and tag along for a journey of love of a lifetime.
There's only how, what and why's. It makes you go through endless emotions and make you pass through a bridge of uncertainty.
The author has not put a foot wrong in the book and the way it is narrated from the first till the last page it's mesmerizing.
Plenty of surprises for the readers and a story so gripping even the guessing game would go for a toss.
Get in the shoes of Neel and tag along for a journey of love of a lifetime.
August 25, 2014
After a long time I have come across a novel which totally surpasses the standards of Indian contemporary set these days. Its a totally fast paced gripping Love-revenge-emotional thriller with sheer emphasis on detailing. Reader is sure to remain quizzed till the last page. Every point build up during the story has been properly reasoned for in the end.
I feel there were few extra scenes physical intimacy which could have been avoided along with few grammatical mistakes.
All in all....A MUST READ!!! :)
I feel there were few extra scenes physical intimacy which could have been avoided along with few grammatical mistakes.
All in all....A MUST READ!!! :)
October 24, 2015
This is probably one of the best books by a contemporary Indian author. I had bought this book a few months back but didn't read it, seeing the title. I guessed it will be a simple love story. But i was taken aback right from the first page itself. The character building was superb, and the suspense was nail biting. You just can't make out what was going on till the very last, and it was very well compiled. Both the timelines complemented each other, and the unexpected twists and turns made it an unputdownable.
Thumbs up for your work Novoneel. Looking forward to read your next work.
Thumbs up for your work Novoneel. Looking forward to read your next work.
January 22, 2016
This one is my first from Novoneel and it took me less than a split second to fall in love with his writing. He is a master when it comes to pour one liners in the story. Story itself is pretty twisted, as the title suggests. Till the climax, you'll surely be in a state to pull out your hairs. Characterization is perfect and dialogues are quirky. Twist and turns keeps the reader on toe. Perfect 'twisted' love story. Go for it.
February 26, 2015
I loved this book!!
I dont know weather people have different opinion abt it..
But as far as i see it..
Its stunner..
I dont want to speakup even a bit of the plot..
You pay.. You buy.. I belive that u'll be the one with more profit!!
I dont know weather people have different opinion abt it..
But as far as i see it..
Its stunner..
I dont want to speakup even a bit of the plot..
You pay.. You buy.. I belive that u'll be the one with more profit!!
May 7, 2015
I loved this book , Suspense and wonderfully described
March 18, 2018
A perfect combination of love and mystery. This is a twisted love story of Neel and Titiksha or ( Nivrita). The story is full of thrill,mystery, suspense and love.
March 31, 2018
Author has incredibly narrated two stories without any confusion.. Also the suspense is maintained till the climax...wait for the climax is worth as it unfolds many mysteries...
January 25, 2023
Novoneel Chakraborty came out with his 4th book, "EX- a twisted love story" on 7th October, 2013. I have finally read it today and I regret that I didn't read it for all these months that the book was in my shelf. The sole reason for postponing this book was its title "EX". I thought it's going to be that typical love story where the protagonist would get confused if he should go back to his ex-partner or move ahead in life and will eventually end up being with the EX. But now when I am done reading this, I am shocked to find that the book belongs to psychological-romantic-revenge thriller. And the author also claims it to be inspired by a true story. If it is, I must say that the book is written very well and holds you right from the beginning to the end.
It's not easy to write about certain topics keeping Indian readers in mind but it's great that Novoneel managed to show guts by publishing this story. It has all the elements that will surprise and shock you with each page. The suspense has been kept very wonderfully throughout the book that does not make you predict what the climax will be. I had 3-4 versions of my own climax while I was reading the book but the way it has ended has surprised me. Definitely, Novoneel has hit the jackpot with this genre. His writing style has just improved immensely if you compare him with his previous books though they were masterpieces themselves. The way two stories are narrated alternatively is what makes you define Novoneel as a writer who has command on his thoughts and knows how to put in on paper that could manage his readers stay for all the pages that they will turn while reading.
The character of Neel is treated very well in spite of it being so dramatic at times. The way he has been defined initially is what makes his character so special for the rest of the book. The description of Jaipur Lit Fest is exciting and interests you as soon as you have just begun with the story. Managing to write about the character of Titiksha would have been another challenge for the author as she has so much wicked things about her to be discussed without making the writer look ugly and dirty with his thoughts. The only drawback that I felt at times while reading the book was its speed. Too much time has been consumed in explaining the nature of the protagonists. It's just the suspense that does not let you put the book aside but I wish the book could have been 50-pages thinner. I wish to give it 4 but I would cut .25 for stretching the story. So it's 3.75/5. This is the 4th time when Novoneel Chakraborty gets the same rating from me. :-)
It's not easy to write about certain topics keeping Indian readers in mind but it's great that Novoneel managed to show guts by publishing this story. It has all the elements that will surprise and shock you with each page. The suspense has been kept very wonderfully throughout the book that does not make you predict what the climax will be. I had 3-4 versions of my own climax while I was reading the book but the way it has ended has surprised me. Definitely, Novoneel has hit the jackpot with this genre. His writing style has just improved immensely if you compare him with his previous books though they were masterpieces themselves. The way two stories are narrated alternatively is what makes you define Novoneel as a writer who has command on his thoughts and knows how to put in on paper that could manage his readers stay for all the pages that they will turn while reading.
The character of Neel is treated very well in spite of it being so dramatic at times. The way he has been defined initially is what makes his character so special for the rest of the book. The description of Jaipur Lit Fest is exciting and interests you as soon as you have just begun with the story. Managing to write about the character of Titiksha would have been another challenge for the author as she has so much wicked things about her to be discussed without making the writer look ugly and dirty with his thoughts. The only drawback that I felt at times while reading the book was its speed. Too much time has been consumed in explaining the nature of the protagonists. It's just the suspense that does not let you put the book aside but I wish the book could have been 50-pages thinner. I wish to give it 4 but I would cut .25 for stretching the story. So it's 3.75/5. This is the 4th time when Novoneel Chakraborty gets the same rating from me. :-)
August 14, 2021
This is romantic suspense written by Novoneel Chakraborty. It’s the first book I have read of Novoneel and it’s worth it. I absolutely loved his writing. The way he played with words was amazing. I have highlighted so many dialogues from this book. I liked how the book was written perfectly with every plot, and every aspect was so precisely elaborated.
This book kept me wondering exactly what is going on in Neel’s life. After every few pages, I was left with more questions than answers. I had experienced so many emotions while reading this book. It was really creepy at one point in the story; I don’t even know how I felt about Neel at that time. I assumed so many reasons and theories relating to Neel and Titiksha and Nivrita, but in the end, I was stunned at the revelation of the actual suspense. I had assumed something like that but what was served was beyond my assumptions. This story was awesome and filled with suspense till the very last page of the book. I had to hold my breath when the truth was revealed; it was too much to consume with the last few pages. I am so in love with this book, it’s amazing to experience such an intriguing journey of Neel and his love.
I won’t spoil any of the suspense by writing anything else but these are some of my favourite lines from the book.
“Desire gives love its wings”
“A kiss was the heart’s only way to share its deepest secret with the soul”
“When a promise and a prayer come together, a commitment is created.”
“Crying is the heart’s way of embracing pain. And love.”
“The mind is such a nice salesman; it keeps selling the best of excuses to the heart. But the heart is both a curious and cautious buyer.”
“Adults don’t know how to decide for themselves, but they reserve the divine right to decide for their kids.”
“Lust generates pleasure. Love generates happiness. And no one but you decide what is pleasure and what is happiness.”
“Incidents are merely an excuse. A means to an end.”
“There are two kinds of love: one that exists because it has never been tested and one that lives on because it has passed all its tests.”
There are many more dialogues that added glory to this story but I do think reading a book and knowing them would be more satisfying for a voracious reader. I recommend this book to all the readers who love to read good suspense with a nice love story and romance. Actually, for every reader whatever genre you prefer, I would still suggest you read this one. It’s worth the time and confusion you go through the story.
This book kept me wondering exactly what is going on in Neel’s life. After every few pages, I was left with more questions than answers. I had experienced so many emotions while reading this book. It was really creepy at one point in the story; I don’t even know how I felt about Neel at that time. I assumed so many reasons and theories relating to Neel and Titiksha and Nivrita, but in the end, I was stunned at the revelation of the actual suspense. I had assumed something like that but what was served was beyond my assumptions. This story was awesome and filled with suspense till the very last page of the book. I had to hold my breath when the truth was revealed; it was too much to consume with the last few pages. I am so in love with this book, it’s amazing to experience such an intriguing journey of Neel and his love.
I won’t spoil any of the suspense by writing anything else but these are some of my favourite lines from the book.
“Desire gives love its wings”
“A kiss was the heart’s only way to share its deepest secret with the soul”
“When a promise and a prayer come together, a commitment is created.”
“Crying is the heart’s way of embracing pain. And love.”
“The mind is such a nice salesman; it keeps selling the best of excuses to the heart. But the heart is both a curious and cautious buyer.”
“Adults don’t know how to decide for themselves, but they reserve the divine right to decide for their kids.”
“Lust generates pleasure. Love generates happiness. And no one but you decide what is pleasure and what is happiness.”
“Incidents are merely an excuse. A means to an end.”
“There are two kinds of love: one that exists because it has never been tested and one that lives on because it has passed all its tests.”
There are many more dialogues that added glory to this story but I do think reading a book and knowing them would be more satisfying for a voracious reader. I recommend this book to all the readers who love to read good suspense with a nice love story and romance. Actually, for every reader whatever genre you prefer, I would still suggest you read this one. It’s worth the time and confusion you go through the story.
October 20, 2020
EX- A Twisted Love Story
-by Novoneel Chakraborty
This book is a psychological thriller. It's about a boy named Neel, who is a 'wanna-be author'. He encounters with a mysterious girl at the ‘Jaipur Literature Festival’. The girl claims to be his ex-girlfriend, but he recollects nothing about her, he can't even recognize her face. Gradually, she lures him and he falls for her, but he is recapped that he is in a steady relationship with the love of his life- Titiksha. He drives more profoundly into this newfound girl and realises that his current girlfriend is transforming into an unfamiliar person!
This book is a page turner! As soon as you draw your inference, it plays with your mind and brings a brand new twiddle. It's full of excitement and thrill and ecstasy! The writing style is amazing, yet engrossing. Its written very brilliantly that every action portrays into a picture! Every page you turn and you get acquainted with astonishing events and unanticipated twists!
You get intensely immersed with all of the characters and progressively understand their motives. It also confers about the complications faced by youngsters in their fluctuating relationships with people! It gives an insight on a juvenile mind!
Adolescents as well as adults will be amazed by this book and it will leave them with a solemn question in their head.
I rate this book a 4/5.
🌹 My personal opinion🌹
My best friend recommended me this book a few years ago and it is so far my first ever "novel" that I read after Panchatatra! I was an amateur reader back then. This book is notated especially considering teenagers and their perception with LOVE and LIFE! So this makes it very relatable.
It's writing style is not complicated,it can be easily understood. The story is very gripping and interesting and hence it’s one of my favourites! I highly recommend this to all the young adults out there to give this a read. I ensure you won't be left dissatisfied!
~Hitanshi Lalan💫
-by Novoneel Chakraborty
This book is a psychological thriller. It's about a boy named Neel, who is a 'wanna-be author'. He encounters with a mysterious girl at the ‘Jaipur Literature Festival’. The girl claims to be his ex-girlfriend, but he recollects nothing about her, he can't even recognize her face. Gradually, she lures him and he falls for her, but he is recapped that he is in a steady relationship with the love of his life- Titiksha. He drives more profoundly into this newfound girl and realises that his current girlfriend is transforming into an unfamiliar person!
This book is a page turner! As soon as you draw your inference, it plays with your mind and brings a brand new twiddle. It's full of excitement and thrill and ecstasy! The writing style is amazing, yet engrossing. Its written very brilliantly that every action portrays into a picture! Every page you turn and you get acquainted with astonishing events and unanticipated twists!
You get intensely immersed with all of the characters and progressively understand their motives. It also confers about the complications faced by youngsters in their fluctuating relationships with people! It gives an insight on a juvenile mind!
Adolescents as well as adults will be amazed by this book and it will leave them with a solemn question in their head.
I rate this book a 4/5.
🌹 My personal opinion🌹
My best friend recommended me this book a few years ago and it is so far my first ever "novel" that I read after Panchatatra! I was an amateur reader back then. This book is notated especially considering teenagers and their perception with LOVE and LIFE! So this makes it very relatable.
It's writing style is not complicated,it can be easily understood. The story is very gripping and interesting and hence it’s one of my favourites! I highly recommend this to all the young adults out there to give this a read. I ensure you won't be left dissatisfied!
~Hitanshi Lalan💫
June 4, 2024
Ever met a random person who claims to be your ex but then says they were joking? Then promises to help you realise your lifelong dream? And then makes you their puppet?
This book claims to be twisted and it is. It twists your mind and then puts it back together to twist it again, while logic takes a walk.
This thriller travels between timelines and becomes a little creepy (and for me, predictable) with every passing chapter. What is intriguing is that it made me forget the prologue and then made me go back to it to make better sense of the book.
The lead character juggles between confusion and horniness and hypocrisy of having a girlfriend and seeing another girl because of the promises she made but frowning when his girl find another man.
The author has a tendency to use too many metaphors to describe the same thing and in the same paragraph and that is off-putting for me. Having said that, his language is good and hence I am able to continue. Some cute and saddening nostalgia and high school crush bits were relatable and made me nod my head a few times.
An okay read with a little dull middle. I pushed through because my suspicion had to be confirmed.
Book - EX, a twisted love story
Author - Novoneel Chakraborty
Publisher - Random House
My Rating - 6/10
Read again - Nope
This book claims to be twisted and it is. It twists your mind and then puts it back together to twist it again, while logic takes a walk.
This thriller travels between timelines and becomes a little creepy (and for me, predictable) with every passing chapter. What is intriguing is that it made me forget the prologue and then made me go back to it to make better sense of the book.
The lead character juggles between confusion and horniness and hypocrisy of having a girlfriend and seeing another girl because of the promises she made but frowning when his girl find another man.
The author has a tendency to use too many metaphors to describe the same thing and in the same paragraph and that is off-putting for me. Having said that, his language is good and hence I am able to continue. Some cute and saddening nostalgia and high school crush bits were relatable and made me nod my head a few times.
An okay read with a little dull middle. I pushed through because my suspicion had to be confirmed.
Book - EX, a twisted love story
Author - Novoneel Chakraborty
Publisher - Random House
My Rating - 6/10
Read again - Nope
June 2, 2023
To be frank I found this book in one of the office drawers post joining off. I would not have purchased this book as I expected a teen love story but the book turned out to be a good find.
The story starts with a teenage couple about to jump from the top of a 5 storey building. Then it moves to the life of live in partners Neel and Titiksha. Neel decides to quit his bank job and wants to become an author. Neel goes to the Jaipur literary festival where he meets Nivrita who says she will publish his book and also provide Jim with a story.
For getting his book published Neel keeps going with Nivrita and also sees changes in Titiksha post his return from the literary festival.
The story that Nivrita starts narrating has something to do with Neel's past. How the plot turns from romance, lust, to suspense thriller will keep the readers hooked.
Though the plot is good and keeps the Reader guessing I felt that the writing could have been better making it more as a thriller. Overall a good book and nice suspense.
The story starts with a teenage couple about to jump from the top of a 5 storey building. Then it moves to the life of live in partners Neel and Titiksha. Neel decides to quit his bank job and wants to become an author. Neel goes to the Jaipur literary festival where he meets Nivrita who says she will publish his book and also provide Jim with a story.
For getting his book published Neel keeps going with Nivrita and also sees changes in Titiksha post his return from the literary festival.
The story that Nivrita starts narrating has something to do with Neel's past. How the plot turns from romance, lust, to suspense thriller will keep the readers hooked.
Though the plot is good and keeps the Reader guessing I felt that the writing could have been better making it more as a thriller. Overall a good book and nice suspense.
September 14, 2022
And here comes another perfect creation of Novoneel sir. Surprisingly, he never disappoints me with his works. As I always say, he is one of my favorite author❤.
✨Positives:
• Let's talk about the plot first. The plot is just so amazing & mysterious that it will catch your attention from the beginning of the book.
• Each chapter has different twists. The ending of a chapter will force you to read the next part right away.
• The mystery is just wow! Each twists and turns are worth reading.
• The starting and the ending is another attraction of the book. Especially I loved the confession part i the end.
• The psycology about Dissociative Personality Disorder is hard to write. But the author nailed it here.
✨Definitely I can't find even one negative side in this book. The book is really so amazing and will recommend it to everyone who love thriller.
✨It's a MUST READ for thriller lovers. So don't wait and grab yourself a copy of Ex, A Twisted Love Story by Novoneel Chakraborty
✨Positives:
• Let's talk about the plot first. The plot is just so amazing & mysterious that it will catch your attention from the beginning of the book.
• Each chapter has different twists. The ending of a chapter will force you to read the next part right away.
• The mystery is just wow! Each twists and turns are worth reading.
• The starting and the ending is another attraction of the book. Especially I loved the confession part i the end.
• The psycology about Dissociative Personality Disorder is hard to write. But the author nailed it here.
✨Definitely I can't find even one negative side in this book. The book is really so amazing and will recommend it to everyone who love thriller.
✨It's a MUST READ for thriller lovers. So don't wait and grab yourself a copy of Ex, A Twisted Love Story by Novoneel Chakraborty
March 24, 2022
Very weak, old, predictable story 👎
Unlike his first three books - the simple yet elegant first two & the complex yet interesting 3rd one - this one's lame and uninteresting...
You almost know what's happening, who's who shortly into the story only to read through lines and lines of narrative that ends up with what you expected...
While I understand the need to have witty and sometimes philosophical dialogues, it is very unrealistic and too-made-up to see the characters speaking them without the need... From school kids, to youngsters, to grannies, everyone keep those dialogues coming out every time they make an appearance in a chapter...
It simply doesn't happen that way in reality... No one will utter dialogues like a zen guru in day to day life... I hope the author understands this....
The stranger trilogy was a disappointment... Now this one as well ... 😭
Unlike his first three books - the simple yet elegant first two & the complex yet interesting 3rd one - this one's lame and uninteresting...
You almost know what's happening, who's who shortly into the story only to read through lines and lines of narrative that ends up with what you expected...
While I understand the need to have witty and sometimes philosophical dialogues, it is very unrealistic and too-made-up to see the characters speaking them without the need... From school kids, to youngsters, to grannies, everyone keep those dialogues coming out every time they make an appearance in a chapter...
It simply doesn't happen that way in reality... No one will utter dialogues like a zen guru in day to day life... I hope the author understands this....
The stranger trilogy was a disappointment... Now this one as well ... 😭
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