Book Review: “My Heart Sings Your Song” by Saz Vora

“My Heart Sings Your Song” by Saz Vora (2020)

Genre: Romance, Fiction

Page Length: 458 pages (paperback edition)

Synopsis:

When Reena meets Nikesh, her instinct is to keep away from the wealthy, charming playboy, but her heart has other plans. Can they overcome their differences, she the daughter of a factory worker and he from an influential rich Indian family? Find out if they get their Bollywood style happily ever after? Nikesh turns up on New Year’s Eve to declare his love. and Reena accepts that they were meant to be together.

But the road to their Bollywood romance is fraught and full of obstacles, Sarladevi, Nikesh’s Motaba has other plans for Nikesh. When the family Guru declares that Reena has had a difficult childhood. Reena’s anxiety and inadequacy resurface. Can Reena overcome her fears of not being good enough to be part of Nikesh’s wealthy family? Will their relationship survive, or will Sarladevi find Nikesh a suitable girl and prevent their happily ever after? (Description from Goodreads)

Review:

My Heart Sings Your Song follows the story of Nikesh and Reena, who falls in love despite all of the obstacles telling them that they shouldn’t be together. The concept of the “star-crossed” lovers really interested me and had me hooked from the very beginning. The novel takes it’s time to flesh out the characters (even the secondary ones) while Nik and Reena’s relationship progresses. Their love story is definitely not without it’s up and downs; and at times it could be such an emotional whirlwind. These aspects of the romance made it feel realistic, especially when they deal with serious issues that arise within the relationships and in their personal life.

Being that the story is set in 1970s -1980s it was interesting to watch the shift of time over the course of the story. A lot happens within the novel, but I never felt rushed and the pacing was so smooth. I grew to be fond of a lot of the characters even if they didn’t always show their best sides. Vora writes such real characters that readers can connect with them. Nik and Reena being in college reminded me of my own days in school. The feelings of uncertainty for the future, thinking about your career, and becoming your own person. All of which I think draws the reader into the main couple’s narrative.

Another added bonus of the book is that it rich in culture and food! The descriptions of all the delicious food that was served or meals that Reena put together herself sounded so good! I also appreciated the glossary in the back which came in handy many times. All in all, a entertaining read with a colorful cast of characters, and a story that will have you hooked from the beginning.

Trigger Warning: Abortion, Alcoholism

Final Verdict: