ON BLOGS AND WEBSITES
(Lemon Girl was featured as Book of the Day on Spectral Hues on 21 December, 2014)
Spectral Hues: Jyoti Arora’s second novel is poignant and heart-wrenching. ’Lemon Girl’, as the name suggests, is not an alien or an eccentric character. She is our very own bubbly next-door Nirvi, who like all, had dared to dream. And Nirvi had not been spared. She, too, has been tabooed and ripped off the mainstream of life as a ‘victim’. The author’s scathing details lie open the biting truths of societal reality. It’s easier to mark sins, it’s hard to wipe them off. And Jyoti’s convincing narrative entertains, making it an obvious page-turner. READ MORE
Sankha Ghosh: The author has woven a fascinating drama with a feeble dose of Rashomon effect in an interlocking criss-cross way of narrative. It is interesting to note that despite taking an alternative narrative style – the author never let the grip off the plot. Adhering to the main plot – the author has rightly unleashed various social complexities and hypocrisies in a sharp way. Taking the first person route of the either sexes in alternative chapters – she put through some deep insights into human psyche and how it varies in a gross level. After a long time, there is an Indian author who dared to showcase her excellent vocabulary throughout....With sensible humor, intelligent narrative – the author brings in a classy portrayal of excellence. Be it with her romantic moments. Or her robust characterization. Or her emotional descriptions. Her Lemon Girl is classy enough to fall for. READ MORE
Bookish Indulgences with Book R3vi3ws (top 50 reviewers on amazon.in): Not once did the book feel unreal or overdone. In fact, there was a nagging feeling about the truth in the pages. Jyoti Arora has kept her language and narration simple, letting the plot and the characters take the center stage. Fiction or Reality? That is the question I had while reading this book. The novel maybe a work of fiction, but it is the reality of too many women in our society.
Engaging and emotional, this novel is a must read for all. READ MORE
Writer's Ezine: The pros of the story are definitely the uniqueness in the plot, the story line and the strong characters woven in, interestingly. Those things make this book stand out amongst the hordes of new titles coming out today. The author has got an edge over them as her narration from the main female lead’s perspective is what makes this book more endearing, bringing out her emotions very beautifully in a language that leaves a mark on the reader for long. READ MORE
Ravish Mani: The story starts in simple manner and gradually becomes complex like our own lives. It deals various aspects of our lives from different perspectives. It is not a simple garden love story but a serious plot unravelling layers of love one by one. I must appreciate author’s wisdom on human psychology and spirituality. READ MORE
Sweet Sharing: Lemon Girl is not just an anomalous piece that is usually expected when a serious social issue is the core of the story . On the contrary , the series of events are so beautifully woven together that the reader becomes one with the subject . It is an excellent blend of human emotions , skillful writing & drama . The book stand out because of its unique narration , griping events & well crafted characters . It leaves you with a hope that changing perception is not impossible as it may seem . Rape survivors DO NOT need our sympathies .They need our understanding . It is not them who need to change but our attitude & actions that need an overhauling. After all , in Nirvi’s words , ” That it wasn’t my fault. It was NOT my fault.” Highly recommended !! READ MORE
Soumya Mukharjee (Blogger): The protagonist is Nirvi, with whom, like the hero and co narrator of the story Arsh, I fell in love. What looked like yet another college romance soon took a stark turn, and the protagonist’s narrative, a look into the tortured mind of a psychologically damaged victim bent on self destruction, sounds uncomfortably real. READ MORE
Saddi Delhi: What is interesting is the insight that Jyoti provides into characters which aren’t all white. The story is placed in a contemporary setting – we have a live-in relationship, house-parties, even a dose of the good old anti-corruption movement. To the author’s credit, the various elements blend in with each other very well. There are plenty of people in the tale, all well painted: a chauvinistic boyfriend, a sweet girl-next-door, orthodox parents, the rich knight with a troubled personal life. The reader travels through the city smoke to the hills beyond in an expert change of pace. READ MORE
Sweety Shinde: When I find protagonists I root for, begin to feel concerned for, when they pull me into their world, when they transcend from mere alphabets into characters and when they linger in mind long after the last page ends – I declare it anauthor’s success. READ MORE
Amit Gupta on Blog Love is Always New: Author paints the characters with broad strokes - there is chauvinistic boyfriend, orthodox parents, candle marches, a heavy dose of anti-corruption movement, live-in relationships and a luxuriant lifestyle portrayed at times. To be fair and give credit to author, all this blends well with the story line which gives narrative required texture. The author manages successfully to allow the lead character to ask difficult questions to both herself and to the society. READ MORE
eFiction: The story has a lot of psychological aspects involved and the author, in a mere 170 pages, has succeeded in weaving a heart rending and soul stirring story. READ MORE
Review By Eokhardah: Ghost from the past is chasing her and she is running away- probably to escape from the burden of her sin!
Wrong! She has been categorized as a sinner for no fault of hers! READ MORE
ON GOODREADS
Akanksha Singh: Kudos to Jyoti for having written such a beautiful story with a message that will reach the masses. Nirvi’s journey of self-discovery and empowerment will definitely force you to think and reassess your misconceptions.
That being said, the fast paced story and the simple style in which it is written along with the beautiful and scenic descriptions of places make this book a gem. This book should be turned into a movie. Are you listening, Karan Johar? READ MORE
Parikhit: "Jyoti Arora's 'Lemon Girl' sensitively touches this sensitive issue. Nirvi, uninhibited, boisterous is unimaginably raped, robbed of her lemony, happy self and who is to be blamed? Nirvi! A cruel metamorphosis of her former self is all she has to shield the world from her and herself from the world. But the past was lurking to crack open her attempts and push her to the realms of darkness, the ghosts of the past catalysing her fall. Nirvi made a choice and emerged a champion. 'Lemon Girl' is not a tale about redemption, it isn't a tale about how a girl fought the demons tethering her, it is the tale of the cruelty the world imposes, the readiness with which we clip the wings of a girl aiming for a better life, it is the tale of helplessness, but also the tale of the bravery, of the fact that no mountain is too high and no ocean too deep when a resolute mind decides against the norm." READ MORE
Rajan: A true facet of our unmerciful and culprit society, this novel has made a move to shrug it off with an eye-opening read. Set on Indian background, it speaks through the eyes and heart of a rape victim, which has been done perfectly throughout the story.
About the writing style of the author, I was stunned to find the book told from two minds, giving two dimensions to view the story. Had the story been written on a plain and singleton view from a narrator, the story would have lost its charm. The story has its own emotions and successfully casts a spell over the readers to be in control of the drift in the story and walk side by side with the characters over the plots.
It’s not Just a Love story, it’s a lot more than that. It’s a Eye-opening read waiting to reveal the truth in front of our society and show its backlogs. READ MORE
Arvinder Singh: I have never finished any book so early, but this book is different from all. The characters portrayed in this novel seem to be real ones, belonging to us. Nirvi, Arsh are two main characters, which have kept me spell bound to finish the novel earliest. Jyoti Arora has portrayed the characters so well that I have fallen in love with the character Nirvi & Arsh. READ MORE
Abhilash Ruhela: Right from the starting, book holds you and makes you a part of the feelings that Nirvi and Arsh keeps on expressing as first person in chapter after chapter. In some cases, you find Nirvi's point of view correct while in other, Arsh's. That's the magic of this book. READ MORE
Tejaswi: The Story of a girl who got catched up in some miserable circumstances nd keeps on punishing herself without actually moving ahead in life.And then Life changes , she moved ahead but again the past haunts.Story of Nirvi us interesting..life takes turns and ends Happily.Go ahead friends.read it. Read on Goodreads
Sharanya: ‘Lemon Girl’ is a must read. Despite the ugly patriarchal society we live in, this book gives us so much hope that as long as we keep fighting and not give up, we can keep the darkness at bay. READ MORE
Rahul: This novel has such a beautiful flowing lyrical prose...after a long time i have come across an Indian author who knows her stuff READ MORE
Akanksha Gupta: I loved the book and here is one author who doesn't write to sell. 'Lemon Girl' is a must read. READ MORE
Lavanya: A woman would know her preciousness and what not to feel after reading this beautifukly written book. READ MORE
Other Reviews
Akriti Mathur: "A sophisticated writing style capturing the emotional struggle we go through today, really well.
The book is a nice read.. after long, a book that quite crudely puts across the cumulative struggle a lot of girls face.. mostly with oneself, subjected by the so-called modern society that still refuses to evolve. The characters feel so real... could relate to a huge portion of the book.
The best thing is a lot of nuances of our daily combats are captured very subtly.
All in all- a sensitive issue handled really well... with a writing style that smoothly grows on you. A piece of literature that's gonna be a part of my proud collection."
Jayshree Roy (top 500 reviewer on Amazon.in): She was a next door girl-jovial, full of life, like to enjoy life to the fullest possible extent.
Life sometimes plays cruel joke-she too was the victim of such a fate. But was it her fault?
In a patriarch society women are blamed themselves when they fall prey to the lust of man. She was provocative-was the apt reply from the society- a society where dignity of woman is a mere showcase term.
When Arsh first saw Nirvi-the jovial girl I am talking about, she was like the new leaves sprouted after the winter-green. After a gap of years destiny again fixed a meeting for them-this time he discovered she was like a robot-merely recites like a parrot what her boyfriend likes to listen.
Why this sudden turn around?
Arsh realised she had a soft corner for him-she too realised it.
She ran away-to unknown destiny from him-probably in a bid to hide her emotions, in a fear of getting caught weeping.
But did she get peace?
Arsh discovered stunning facts –what made her to run away from love?
It is an absorbing story that will put you in all tears
Vipul: When i first got to know that there's a new book in the market from someone new author, i just thought to read it. I have already read many novels. "Five Point Someone", and "2 States" are my best. But these are from well known famous author who know how to make such impressive novels. So i thought to try something new, aur dil se kahu toh jaise jaise ye novel padhta gaya, vaise vaise isme is kadar khoto gaya jaise saare characters real ho..words are not enough to praise but in short i wanna say that "It's awesome"...That's what we call a Novel..
Special thanks to Miss Jyoti Arora who wrote such beautiful words and combined them to make a novel
Garima Gakkhar: Great Book !!!!!!
Pradeep Kumar: Read your book LEMON GIRL. A fascinating journey of emotions, love, anguish, self respect and victory of one recovering from dreaded past. A must read for all . .
Nitya Gupta: So .... Finally m done ... I m nt a bolgger not a reviewer so plz dun xpct any fancy wrds studded in an intricate manner ... Woahh it was a roller coaster ride u read u feel u decide u judge u njoy u broke ..... Sometimes Like Nirvi n smtyms like lemon girl ... It was THE BEST LOVE STORY (read it as Self Love Story).... being in love with uaslf, respecting uaslf,blaming uaself,managing uaslf, getting rid of burden, getting yourslf freed
