I just finished 'From Twinkle, With Love' by Sandhya Menon, and I am extremely happy with it! I graciously received an ARC from Simon & Schuster Canada in exchange for an honest review, and cannot wait to share my opinions on this great story.
RATING: 4.75/5
REVIEW: 'From Twinkle, With Love' tells the story of aspiring filmmaker Twinkle, and her journey through her first experiences of love, heartbreak, and how the power of friendship can overcome even the greatest pain.
I absolutely adored this novel, from the characters to the plot, and even the family struggles. Sahil's character was probably my favourite, loyal from the first page, and an honest friend to Twinkle when she needed someone to confide to. When individuals read his point of view, it is a true teenage guy perspective, and made the story feel real.
In terms of Twinkle's development, her growth as a leader, friend, and a person were impressively written.Twinkle's unsteady relationship with her ex-best friend added to the drama she dealt with, but also offered her motivation to keep persevering with the film. In times of anger, her strong and aggressive outbursts kept the reader engaged and amused, and helped express the raw emotions Twinkle was feeling. As she balanced re-inventing herself, while not losing who she was, Twinkle truly learned what she valued most in life, and who she wanted to be as a person.
The writing style fluctuated between journal entries, text messages, and notes between friends, and that added to the contemporary feeling of the book. This was the first novel I read in this writing form, and was so impressed with it.
Overall, I would highly recommend this novel to young adults, and contemporary fans in general.