Tides Don’t Cross is a light and fun one-time read for readers who are looking for a reading break in between intense books or for ones who are starting to inculcate the practice of reading in themselves. On the surface the book is about three lives and how their paths cross despite them being so strikingly different from each other.
Neelam Siritya has single-handedly brought up her two daughters after the death of her husband. However both of her daughters have turned out to become quite opposites of each other. The docile and compassionate Mrinalini, is bullied by their mother at all times and ends up marrying and then having a child despite her contrary wishes. On the other hand, Rukmani, is the rebel of the family. She constantly fights against her mother’s demands and does what pleases her impulsive nature. It is quite natural that she goes against the wish of her mother and falls in love with Ayaan Khan in Paris. Ayaan, who is a varsity swimmer, suffers a massive injury and has to temporarily quit doing the one thing he has grown up loving.
The fact that the story is so well-written, makes me completely engrossed in the lives of these characters. Simar Malhotra, despite her young age has composed a really interesting novel including important topics such as Islamophobia, discrimination of gender and religion, etc.
What I found missing in the book was the lack of details and irrationality of actions of the characters. Sometimes the predictability was so blatant that it kind of irked me. Also I soon grew impatient of Rukmani’s irrational behaviour and found it to be less original and highly exaggerated and influenced from other famous characters.
If you are looking for a fun read to spice up your leisurely time then invest yourself in this one.
The Liquid Sunset 