Book Review - Too Good to be True by Prajakta Koli

I finished reading Too Good To Be True by Prajakta Koli. I giggled so many times cause it’s a cute love story about Avani and Aman with an Indian touch. Honestly, I went in with very low expectations, and I was not surprised at all. When it comes to picking up hyped books, I usually refrain from checking Goodreads or Amazon reviews because I like to keep my expectations low. But this time, I checked a few before picking it up, and gave it a shot. So let’s see about it.

This book follows Avani, a 23-year-old law student who is a hardcore romance reader and works in a bookstore. She meets Aman, the rich, handsome CEO, and from there, sparks fly instantly. Their romance unfolds quickly. At first glance, it feels dreamy that a girl-next-door and a billionaire CEO, a combination that we’ve seen before, but still feels charming in its own way. Personally, I liked the first half of the book more. The witty, emotional dialogues, and of course, every chapter where we got to see Aman’s side. I love how Prajakta added tiny yet perfect details, like watching the movie La La Land together or Aman’s observation about Avani’s jhumkas matching her mood. That’s actually a very good example of “men written by women.”

But now let’s dive into the parts that did not work for me. This book leans heavily on overused Western tropes and over-the-top romanticization, with writing that sometimes feels like Wattpad fan fiction. I was honestly expecting more of a desi charm. When I heard she was publishing her first novel, I thought we’d get something rooted in Indian culture. But unfortunately, this book follows more Western culture and storytelling. The storyline is too basic. Some lines felt very cringey and unrealistic. The characters lack serious depth, and with the author’s online presence, I was expecting something fresher. Avani, as a female character, sometimes comes across as immature. She’s always throwing tantrums. The story often feels like Avani and her friends talking about Aman, and Aman and his friends talking about Avani, rather than two characters growing together.

“A love story that begins with fireworks, ends too soon, and leaves you wishing for a little more heart.”

The past trauma of Avani was also poorly handled. It was introduced very late, in the second-to-last chapter, which made it hard to sympathize with her. When something that significant is revealed so late, it loses its emotional impact. Reading this book at times felt like scrolling through a bunch of Instagram comments. And the ending? It just finished abruptly. Still, I will give credit where it’s due. This book definitely has some very cute moments that made me smile. The friendship aspect in the story between Rhea, Martin, and Maya was beautiful. The pure friendship in adulthood is something everyone deserves, and their character development was one of the highlights for me. Another thing that stood out was the subtle feminist touch,  where God is referred to as “she” or “her.” That small detail added warmth to the story.

And yes, along with their love story, I must appreciate the idea of personal space in relationships. I loved how this book emphasized that. All the girlies might see a mirror through this story, and all the boys, please try to be a “green forest” like Aman, calm, patient, and emotionally intelligent. Now, if I talk about the aesthetics a huge appreciation for the cover designer because it’s honestly my favorite part of the book. The cover is absolutely beautiful, and it perfectly matches the dreamy vibe of the story. Coming to the writing, I genuinely think the author has potential. Even though this debut felt too predictable and Westernized, you can see glimpses of emotional honesty and humor, especially in the first half. Some scenes made me giggle, and moments that reminded me why simple romances can still be enjoyable when done right.

But overall, the book felt flat. The characters, the plot, and the dialogue never fully came together. The pacing felt uneven, the ending was rushed, and the story didn’t offer anything unique. It’s not that I hate the book, it’s just that it didn’t meet my expectations. I wanted something more real, something more Indian in essence. If you like light, dreamy books with predictable tropes and cute moments, Too Good To Be True might be the one for you. But if you’re looking for something fresh, layered, and with true desi charm, this might not be the right pick. Since its release, this book has been surrounded by both hype and controversy, and after reading it, I can see why. But that’s fine. Some people genuinely enjoyed it. There are books you’ll love, and books that just aren’t meant for you.