Title: That Thing About You
Author: Abhaidev
Publisher (English): Write India Publishers
Genre: Paranormal Thriller
First Publication: 2019
Language: English
Setting Place: Mumbai, India
Protagonist: Subodh
Major Characters: Subodh, Kalpana, Ishaan, Anu, Sneha
Narration: Third Person Limited Point of view.
Book Summary: That Thing About You
What if co-incidences in our lives are nothing but a result of a dice thrown by some higher being?
What if we all are mere pieces of pawns carefully played upon by a cosmic chess-master?
That Thing About You is an uncommon story of a common man rejected in love. This is a story of a man walking on the path of self-discovery.
Subodh, a regular IT employee, is perceived as an immature man by everyone, but he isn’t bothered until his love interest rejects him citing the same.
Although dejected and crestfallen, he soon befriends an unusual, mysterious woman who knows everything about him and seems to have all the answers.
Soon, his life goes through a lot of unexpected turns—from doubting his sanity and visiting a psychologist to a failed arranged marriage attempt made by his parents. Everything in his life seems to be in fast-forward mode. One thing that does not change, however, is this unusual “friend” of his who refuses to reveal her identity and chooses to appear at her whim.
Who is this mysterious woman? Why is she prying into his life? Where will this strange friendship lead him? Is some impending danger awaiting Subodh or is it something else altogether?
Character List: That Thing About You
Subodh – The man whom the book is all about. Subodh is an average IT employee who works in a software company in Mumbai. He is perceived as immature by everyone, but he isn’t bothered until his love interest ‘Sneha’ rejects him citing the same reason. That Thing About You is a story of his growth as a person and his character development.
Ishaan – Subodh’s flatmate and colleague. He is the well-respected individual in his office owing to his mature personality and disciplined life. Things are not all well between him and Subodh.
Sneha – Subodh’s friend and crush in the office. Sneha is a lively girl but at the same time, sensible. Her pleasant personality is the reason why Subodh is all over her. She is concerned about him, like a friend should be, which Subodh mistakes it for something else. Things had been great between her and Subodh before she rejected him. Subodh blames her for his own short-comings. But even after Subodh’s rude behavior, she tries to put up him.
Anu – Subodh’s frenemy. Anu leaves no opportunity to pull Subodh’s leg and to mock him. In the garb of being a concerned friend, she leaves no stone unturned to humiliate and make fun of him. She too works in the same office and lives close to Subodh’s flat. Ishaan and Anu are close friends.
Kalpana -Subodh’s unusual and mysterious friend who seems to know everything about him. There are no questions to which she doesn’t have an answer to. Her identity although is a secret. It is she who forces Subodh to reevaluate his lifestyle and choices.
Book Review: That Thing About You
I devoured this book in two days and didn’t want to put it down! I was quickly questioning every move every character made. From beginning to end, I was all in!
The author Abhaidev wields some kind of power with his combined words. That mysterious “it” factor present in the book, allowing readers to succumb all too easily to the manipulation. While reading this book, Life effortlessly fading into the background as the intensity and promise for something truly twisted takes over—no matter how loud the TV might be, who’s begging for attention, or the myriad of things niggling on your conscience. Believe me, none of those things will matter in the face of this devious page-turner.
Author introduces readers to Subodh, just another IT guy, who gets rejected at love. But wait, ‘That Thing About You’ is not just another love-story. After heart break, Subodh found a mysterious female voice in his head who knows everything about him and guides him for better. I had some adrenaline surging moments as the tension amped-up and the plot unfolded. The ending was just so perfect, Completely Intriguing and Totally Unexpected!
This was extremely well written! I was glued to these pages, devouring every single word with curious and hungry eyes. The pace, flow and narration were excellent! I felt the urge to read ‘just one more chapter’ from start to finish – I simply couldn’t get enough of this unique and mysterious story. The characters were well developed and each one kept my curiosity at highest level.
A bit of romance and more of paranormal mystery, this book will hook you till the last page.
