My opinion : 

Too Good To Be True by Prajakta Koli is a debut novel soaked in Mumbai nostalgia, complete with its slang, streets, and quirks. It tells the story of Avani, a romance obsessed bookstore employee who meets Aman, a charming man who seems too perfect to be real. What follows is a cozy, witty, and slightly chaotic love story set against the pulse of Mumbai life. The writing has a strong local flavor, with references and humor that will instantly click with Mumbaikars or anyone who has lived that life. For me, someone who grew up in the city but now lives abroad, reading it felt like craving a piece of home, it’s warm, familiar, and full of vibes.

The humor is the book’s strongest point. It’s clever, funny, and feels very authentic to the Mumbai way of speaking. There’s something charming about how it captures the small joys of city life, the everyday chaos, the food, the local slang, the nostalgia. The writing style has energy, and the cozy bookstore setting gives it an instant rom com appeal. I genuinely enjoyed how it reminded me of the local flavor of Anuja Chauhan’s books, with that same mix of sass, warmth, and social familiarity. The vibes are immaculate; it’s an easy, comfort read for when you want to sink into something light and fun.

Now, here’s where my frustration comes in. The story lacks depth, both in plot and in characters. The relationships feel rushed, the transitions jarring, and the pacing uneven. Characters like Rhea and Dhruv suddenly become friends out of nowhere, and the rest of the cast seems built around one or two traits with no real growth. The writing feels amateur, almost like a Wattpad draft, with too much telling and not enough showing. There’s a serious lack of editing; scenes move awkwardly, time skips give you whiplash, and important details, like Aman’s mysterious big meeting, are brushed over. I love Prajakta Koli as a creator, but this book needed stronger editorial direction. It could have been shorter, tighter, and much more polished.

Even with all its flaws, I can’t bring myself to be harsh. It’s her debut, and I can see the potential buried under the chaos. The humor, the energy, and the familiarity of the Mumbai setting show that she has a good eye for slice of life storytelling. I just wish she had collaborated with an experienced author or a stronger editor who could have shaped the story better. I’m hopeful that future books will show growth because there’s a spark here that deserves refining.

I gave this book two stars, one for the comfort of the vibes and one because it’s written by someone I genuinely admire. I went through the effort of shipping the book across the world because of how much I adore Koli, so yes, I’m disappointed, but I’m still rooting for her. This book wasn’t the romance I expected, it’s more of a scattered, cozy, slightly chaotic daydream. But maybe that’s okay. It’s a start, and every debut has its flaws. Here’s hoping the next one gives us the same heart, but with sharper storytelling and more soul.