Book Review
Genre: Romance (Indireads)
Blurb:
On her first holiday in six years, Rumi is expecting
to relax and unwind. But when she is set up by her long-time friend, she
doesn’t shy away from the possibilities. Ahad, a charming, independent,
self-made man, captures her imagination, drawing her away from her disapproving
sister, Juveria.
Faced with sizzling chemistry and a meeting of the
minds, Ahad and Rumi find themselves deep in a relationship that moves forward
with growing intensity. But as her desire for the self-assured Ahad grows, Rumi
struggles with a decision that will impact the rest of her life.
Confronted by her scandalized sister, a forbidding
uncle and a society that frowns on pre-marital intimacy, Rumi has to decide
whether to shed her middle-class sensibilities, turning her back on her family,
or return to her secluded existence as an unmarried woman in Pakistan.
We follow Rumi from rainy London to a sweltering
Karachi, as she tries to take control of her own destiny.
My Rating: 4/5
Review:
I wanted to read this book for two reasons firstly
because of its cover and secondly because of ‘Dhoop Kinare’ (a Pakistani
serial, I saw and loved when I was a teenager. I don’t know how many people
would be able to relate to this, but still.) The cover and blurb reminded me of
that sweet, soul immersing romance.
Now to the review. J
These days most of the romance novels/ novella are focused
on new adult romance, fast and bubbling. After a long time I have come across a story
which has characters who are settled, mature. They gave me the feel of complexity
involved in a relationship because of different upbringing and perspectives. Be
it the sensible yet sensuous approach of Ahad in handling a fragile relationship
with a woman he is attracted to, or sorting out her emotions and priorities by
Rumi.
I loved Ahad’s patience as he waited for her to come
to him, it was so chivalrous and quixotic. It really sizzled! And I loved the way Rumi handled the
rejection and later the acceptance. Natasha Ahmed has expertly brought out the conduct
of both Ahad and Rumi enhancing the depth of the characters. And of course 'Duniya gol hai'.
Coming to Mahira, Ali and Faizan, friends everyone
need and should have, wonderful characters. Juveria, is a natural one we see
around us all the time. A person chained to legacy thought process, but she
absolves herself later. I also liked the fact that the story was not unnecessarily
stretched.
Breaking conventional conservative barriers, for a
woman, is not easy in our societies (both Indian and Pakistani), but the
clarity in presentation of thoughts made the book fantastic read.
Initially shifting POV’s bothered me, but once I got
used to the style, it ceased to matter. I wished their reconciliatory conversation
in the restaurant at Karachi could have been elaborated more, just for the reader’s
pleasure.
Overall, very entertaining insightful romance story
which leaves you to ponder on; quote ‘feelings rather than commitment’
and ‘love and marriage are not synonymous’, unquote.
About The Author:
Natasha Ahmed is a pen name. In real life, Natasha is
a graphic designer, a businesswoman and occasionally writes art and book
reviews for publications within Pakistan. She created the pen name to avoid
awkward questions of morality and religion (since her book advocates sexual
freedom for women) from her close but extremely large family.
Butterfly Season is her first novella, though not, she
hopes, her last.
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