When we read books by certain authors, we associate them with certain genres. Writers usually take up the genres they are comfortable with and display their skills in writing books based on a theme. Rarely do authors make a huge jump between genres and succeed in both of them.
Janani Srikanth does it with such finesse!
I had earlier read her non-fiction work, A Balance Called Life, and to call it a life-changing book is not an exaggeration, nor am I the
only person to echo that sentiment. Most other reviewers feel the same.
You can read her interview for Reader's Muse here, where she shares more about her journey of acquiring multiple
professional degrees, shifting careers between completely different fields, and
how she caught the writing bug.
With Taste of Fate, Janani has explored the fiction scene
and has definitely aced in her attempt. The book is a refreshing breath of
fresh air. Coming into the scene at a time when the phrase ‘red flags’ is often
associated with relationships, Taste of Fate describes the wonderful feeling of
love between two sensible adults and how they navigate their attraction and the
situations they face in life – peppered with a lot of relationship ‘green
flags’ to look out for!
Arjun and Maya are #CoupleGoals from the first interaction
and attract the reader with the way they approach life and each other. Starting
with their career choices (a head chef of a Michelin Star Restaurant and an
internationally renowned psychologist) they show their inclination to stand out
from the crowd.
So they do, throughout the story.
Arjun wins as the serene, classy guy who makes readers
(especially single women!) sit up and take notice of him. He is endearing in
the way he interacts with his best friend and romantic interest. His rebellious
streak in choosing his career and his determination to become successful in it
make him an intriguing lead.
Maya wins too, as the beautifully empathetic, clear-headed
professional who showers the world with her kindness. She is empathetic, kind,
understanding, and knows what she wants from life. And she wins as a role model
for people who are in similar situations in life.
The book describes their budding relationship, managing to
bring in some frankly amazing insights into life in between. Taste of Fate is
the journey of two people and how they approach life and their love. What
destiny has in store for them and how they navigate life’s curveballs form the
story.
Unshackle yourself from all your previous notions about this
genre and prepare yourself for a journey that is sweet (and not bittersweet),
happy (and not just cautiously so) and sensible (while retaining the magic of
love)! Taste of Fate reinforces in your mind that love can be devoid of games
and manipulation, and infuses you with hope about the goodness of people.
What to look out for:
~ The brilliant prose and the stellar descriptive writing –
who knew the everyday sunset could have these many adjectives to describe its
majestic beauty!
~ The ‘Dear Maya’ section where the lead answers questions
on relationships and life. If you want to limit yourself to rereading only one
part of the book, it would be this!
~ The insights and the humour in the dialogue, the blend of
confidence and vulnerability in the relatable leads.
Verdict:
Janani Srikanth wins with this offering, and will manage to
keep her readers enthralled as she shows them a sweet and sensible taste of
fate!
The book is globally available on Amazon!
About the Author:
Janani Srikanth is an Author, Psychologist, Philosopher, and Life Coach.
Her academic journey began with an engineering degree from NIT, followed by an 8-year corporate career. Despite a promising professional career, she found something missing in that life and decided to specialize in social sciences and pursue her passion for making a positive difference in people's lives.
Her counseling approach helps people sculpt the life they love. Her articles on Mental Health, which provide practical solutions, are a regular feature on social media.
She writes regularly on LinkedIn. Her monthly newsletter - 'Mindful Moments' - focuses on motivational articles and life insights.
Her debut book, ‘A Balance Called Life’, is a Self-help book that focuses on Stress Management and Life Balance.
'Taste of Fate' is her second book and her first fiction novel.
She is active on social media. You can find her social media handles on her website.