My second book, Our Story Ends Here, is OUT!

Synopsis: 

Terrorists are not born to love. 
Sarmad was trained as a terrorist to be ruthless, to be fearless and to take away innocent lives. He has caused pain that he can’t undo. For years, he has been living without a heart, without a soul, without her. 
Mehar is an army general’s daughter. After losing a loved one she decides to go to the Swat valley with her college friends to revisit the place that holds all her childhood memories. 
While Mehar is looking forward to her adventurous trip, Sarmad is working on his upcoming deadly mission. 
Unwittingly, their paths cross and they are forced to stay together in the same room for eleven days. Fate brings them together, but destiny has planned something else. 
Does their story end here? Or has it just begun?

The book is available on Amazon, Amazon India, and Readings, Lahore.

Order your copy now!

Book Review: Karachi, You're Killing Me!

Karachi, You're Killing Me! by Saba Imtiaz
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

'Karachi, You're Killing Me!' comes off as a debut novel by Saba Imtiaz.
Those based out of Karachi and directly linked to journalism will enjoy reading this fiction work. Set in the backdrop of the current political scenario of Karachi, the book revolves around 28 year old Ayesha, who works for a newspaper and is quite ambitious to become one of the best journalists of her city. There's no doubt about the fact how hard she works to make a name for herself. Along with following her dreams, she has to deal with a lot of people in her life; Saad, her childhood best friend, Zaara, her only genuine girl-friend she can discuss out her distress with, father, who does nothing but take keen interest in their house pet, Kamran, her narcissist and self-absorbed boss who is dying to get his newspaper on the top and last but not the least, Jamie, a foreign reporter whom she mistakes to fall in love with.
The book started off at a tedious pace, and I could not built much interest in it. Had the thought of putting it down so many times but was just curious to finish the fiction work written by a female Pakistani author. The book picked up pace in the middle and ended on a very predictable pattern. For me, it was just an average read. Having said that, I'm sure Saba has written the book to target a certain niche - especially readers based in Karachi and the one's who want to start a career in journalism. Saba blatantly shows the truer side of Karachi, the city filled with chaos and also does not hold herself back by letting us know how people act and behave in the world of journalism. This book is surely is an eye-opener for many but told in a light, funny, and healthier way. Read it for the love of Karachi and journalism!

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Review of Mrs Funnybones: She's just like You and a lot like Me

Mrs Funnybones: She's just like You and a lot like Me by Twinkle Khanna
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I don't understand why readers find 'Mrs Funnybones' funny. It wasn't really funny. Though it can be termed as a good satirical laugh but I won't say that my stomach rolled into fits of laughter and my eyes burst with tears while reading this one.
Despite not being into non-fiction, I pre-ordered this book. (Thanks to liberty Books in Pakistan, otherwise I wouldn't get my hands on this one quite soon and I don't know for how long I had to wait.)
Obviously, the curiosity to read a book from a celebrity turned interior designer turned author - Twinkle Khanna (daughter of celebrities Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia and wife of Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar) was always there.
Getting published from Penguin is unchallenging and effortless for a celebrity. They'd soon acknowledge work coming from a celebrity and turn the author into a bestseller overnight. Whoah! Writers like us have to work hard to achieve this title.
Coming back to the book, like I earlier said, it was a good satirical laugh. Twinkle has written the book from her own perspective. She describes the way her life revolves around man of the house, prodigal son, little one and her mothers.
Though I felt bad when Akki kept calling by Man of the house. I mean she could use his name instead.
At first I thought the basic idea behind this novel somewhat resembled to Moni Mohsin's Butterfly but I was hence proved wrong when I read it. The writing style is highly different and of course I would proudly say our Moni writes even better. Her writing style really made me laugh like riot!
There were a few chapters which I genuinely liked from Mrs. Funnybones; especially the ones that ended up giving a strong message.
Twinkle hasn't been new to the writing world; she has been writing columns for quite a time which now has compiled in a form of a book.
Nonetheless, there's no denying to the fact that Twinkle herself is sassy, sarcastic and downright funny - it reflects highly from her writing. She has a great sense of humor which clearly shows in her book and blogs.
I'd like to finish with a note that she is definitely a better author than an actor. Read it for a refreshing change and relax your brain muscles. ;)

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Book Review of "Why Men Love Bitches: From Doormat to Dreamgirl - A Woman's Guide to Holding Her Own in a Relationship"

Why Men Love Bitches: From Doormat to Dreamgirl - A Woman's Guide to Holding Her Own in a Relationship by Sherry Argov
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Before reading this book, I had developed a taste for the self-help books because they're really informative and end up giving so many lessons. 'Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus' was one book I'd read earlier about relationships. This is the second self-help book that I've read after a long time.
I must say the book was enticing in so many ways. Being a "bitch" as the author says is always better than being a "nice girl."
This book will be really helpful for those women who're about to pursue relationship. In fact it serves as a perfect guide for all the women. This book will make them realize why men really get turned on by independent, fiery and confident women.
If you think being nice will make you win a ticket to your man's heart, then you're presumably wrong. Women who tend to offer superfluous attention to men always get hurt when they don't get the same in return. Read this book and realize where you went wrong in a relationship.
Be strong, confident and independent. Put your priorities first and then give a notice to his priorities. Always keep yourself first. Regard your own opinions. Decide for yourself. Stop depending and relying on others. Move over. Be yourself!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I must say it has been helpful to me in so many ways.
I came to know that the author has also written a book titled 'Why Men Marry Bitches.' I hope this book is available in my region. I'm sure it will be as exciting as this one!
Dear women, you gotta check this book out!

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Review on "Me Before You" by Jojo Moyes

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Honestly, the book didn't live up to my expectations. When I read its synopsis, it sort of excited me and took me no time to order this book.
'Me Before You' is the first novel I have read of Jojo Moyes.
The story is about two individuals who fall into each other lives and then rest is history.
Will Traynor is a quadriplegic who has lost his legs in a bike accident whereas Louisia Clark is an independent 27 year old who has just lost her job. She gets a job of being a care taker to Will and that's where their bond starts. Louisia has been appointed to change Will's mind as he wants to kill himself and get out of the misery.
The story unfolds further and we see how Lou affects Will's life and make him does adventurous stuff which he hasn't done in a long while.
Apparently, both of them fall for each other but Lou fails to change his mind. All the time while reading this book I kept thinking when will Will really be treated and stand on his own legs. Unfortunately that time never comes.
Without adding any more spoilers, I'd want readers to read the book and judge with their own perspective.
The movie adaptation of this novel is under process and it goes without saying that I'd watch it for sure.
Jojo Moyes is also working on its sequel namely "After You".
Definitely looking forward to it.

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Review on "The Girl on the Train"

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

"The Girl On The Train" is Paula Hawkins debut novel which makes it really hard to believe because she has written it so well. Nobody can write a thriller novel so brilliantly.

We all know it's really hard to engross readers in a book these days and when you're writing a thriller novel, you need to make the plot enthralling with every page turn.

"The Girl On The Train" typically revolves around Rachel Watson who is a devastated, divorced and a filthy drunk woman. She has been left by her husband Tom who went ahead to marry Anna. Rachel has no aim in life after Tom left her. She's been travelling from Ashbury to London on a commuter train on daily basis. Everyday on her way to London, she sees houses through the window and becomes familiar with the people living in those houses. There's one couple she gets seeing accustomed to. Scott and Megan Hipwell. She calls them "Jess and Jason."
Their blissful married life inspires her and makes her remember her own time with Tom. She becomes familiar with Scott and Megan and starts to fantasize their happy lives.
However, one Saturday night a horrific accident takes place and Megan Hipwell goes missing. Rachel had not realized that the same night would cause her to become a permanent part of their mysterious lives. The people she'd been seeing through the commuter train window would be thrown into her life.
As events unfold and time moves on, she becomes deeply involved in that case.

This book is highly engrossing, sustainably enthralling and definitely a compulsive read. Definitely a top notch suspense book I've read after a long time!

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Book Review: If He Had Been With Me by Laura Nowlin

If He Had Been with Me by Laura Nowlin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A heart-melting story that could bring tears in your eyes once you move toward its climax. That's how I felt after reading "If He Had Been With Me" albeit I didn't cry literally.
Autumn and Finny are best friends since childhood because they've grown up together. Their mothers are neighbors and best friends for life. Evidently, Autumn and Finny had to be close. However, destiny had some other plans for them when they reached high school. Things drastically change and an unusual incident grows them apart. They move on to make friends with new people.
However, what Autumn feels for Finny and vice versa remains unperturbed. The feelings they hold for each other are real, natural and beautiful.
The story about their lives keeps you hooked to the book. I found hard not to stay glued to it because the eagerness to know what brought major change in their friendship was unnerving.
I wish to read Laura's second book which is expected to arrive by the mid of next year.
A complete heart-touching and emotional story that leave your jaws drop and make you feel empty from inside.
I would recommended YA readers to give it a read once.
Laurin, I am awaiting your next novel. Good luck! :)

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