Love story of a commando by Swapnil Pandey

"Love story of a commando" by Swapnil Pandey - Predictable!

This book is published by Westland in 2019 and has 200 pages. 

Riya literally collides with Captain Virat in an art exhibition. She spends delightful time with him buying paintings for his mess. Then he disappears. Then they meet in Hotel Taj in extraordinary circumstances that lead to questionable actions. Finally they meet in Kashmir and take a stroll in PoK.

Why do they meet in exceptional circumstances? Does Riya fall in love or Virat does? Who is Virat? Why PoK?

The story is narrated by Riya in first person. She has nothing to do with armed forces or arms but quotes the make and model of weapons easily. The story is easy, without many surprises. Book starts with a letter from commando where he gives highlights of what you will read in the book. The book is only detailing of the plot laid down by the letter. Thus the book loses 'what next?' factor. The letter shouldn't have been there. Story is predictable. 

Author has tried to portray the character of Riya as messy and carefree. But it comes out as reckless. Character of Captain Virat is also flawed. He deviates from army protocol, puts lives in danger for love. His actions are highly questionable. His reasons for not calling Riya are also lame. 

Why does trip to jungle happen? Why did they go there? It was completely absurd turn to the story and totally unjustified. However the surgical strike brings some much needed excitement to the story. 

Riya and Virat have three encounters, so one wonders if they really had enough time to really fall in love or was it infatuation?

Author covers college life in one chapter with amazing effectiveness. Author has written some very good one liners like: 'Life begins at the end of your college life and you miss your college for the rest of your life', 'Chaos is the ultimate truth and control is a myth', 'How could someone fight in the name of God when they are challenging his authority?', 'Wherever talked about female mystery should have researched into men's world really!'. Quotable quotes!

Swapnil is a female author. Counterintuitive isn't it? She is an army wife and this is her 2nd novel. 

Why did I read this book? Title. 

What I didn't like? Characterization. Jungle trip.

What did I like? Captures sentiments of millennials. Quotable quotes. 

Not a must read.