Lallan Sweets

Loved this book!!

I started reading this book yesterday. So far, it's good—simple language for everyone to understand.

I came across Lallan Sweets the way most of us discover our next read these days through a flood of Instagram reels. My feed was suddenly filled with creators raving about this book, quoting lines, praising the characters, and insisting it was an emotional ride not to be missed. Naturally, I gave in to the hype, partly out of curiosity and partly to see if the book truly lived up to all the buzz. And I must say Lallan Sweets is totally worth the hype. What started off as an experiment quickly turned into an experience. I ended up reading most of Lallan Sweets during my travels, and here's the surprising part: instead of doom-scrolling through my phone, I found myself reading non-stop, only pausing for boarding and deboarding. That has never happened to me with any book, even though I’m an avid reader. I read a lot,but this one made me forget everything else. The story is deeply rooted in the lives of a middle-class Indian family, with all the emotions, tensions, and tenderness that come with it. The characters are authentic, imperfect, and incredibly relatable. The writing is another strong point simple, fluid, and easy to follow, making it ideal for anyone, regardless of their reading habit. In fact, I’d highly recommend Lallan Sweets to those who want to start reading or get back into the habit. It’s a light, emotional, and engaging read that flows effortlessly and leaves a lasting impression. So if you’ve been seeing this book everywhere and wondering if it’s just another overhyped title let me assure you: it’s not. It’s heartfelt, accessible, and unforgettable.

The book I recieved was of very nice quality and in a very good condition. I have given a review of the book to help you in engaging with the book. CHARACTERS: 1.Tara, an independent strong woman trying to fight patriarchal forces 2. Nikhil, Tara's childhood best friend & crush 3. Lalaji, Tara's grandfather and owner of Lallan Sweets 4. Mohit & Rohit, Tara's cousins WRITING STYLE: Very easy to read and engaging. It gave a very bold statement on feminist idea of how much capable women can be and how society undermines their strength just because they are not men. It had a very positive perspective on life and human relations and how we find happiness and love in small things we do. SUMMARY: So, the story begins in the late 1990s in a small town called Siyaka in Northern India with the question of who will inherit the Lallan Sweets. Lalaji comes up with this quest to find the "magic ingredient" he uses in his sweets to make them extra special. Whoever finds it, inherits the shop. The quest requires all the participants to go from one place to another, find clues and ultimately find the ingredient. Mohit and Rohit, being brothers, work together and Tara teams up with Nikhil (Nikku). The story was interesting, with a touch of bollywood love stories like Jab We Met and friends to lovers trope of Yeh Jawani hai Diwani. It also had some wild adventures involving the Taj, and cutesy romance between Nikku and Tara, making me blush every time. The climax was predictable, or maybe I'm too much into this stuff that I saw what was coming. But anyhow, the plot twist related to Lalaji was very very unpredictable but extremely sweet. Just a small regret, a little more of Nikku-Taru could've added the magic ingredient to my laddo🥺

Lallan Sweets sounds like an ordinary sweet shop, doesn't it? But it has a huge secretbehind its success - the “magic ingredient”. Lallan Sweets is located in a small town nextto Delhi, called Siyaka. The owner - Lalaji, is the grandfather of the protagonist, Tara Taneja. Tara is an independent, strong-willed young woman who aspires to run a math tuition centre for kids. Tara lost her father at a very young age. She only has her mother by her side. They live with Lalaji (paternal grandfather), uncle, aunt, and her two cousins - Rohit and Mohit. Lalaji wants to retire and decides that Lallan Sweets will not be inherited, but earned. So he devises a quest for the 3 cousins to find the magic ingredient. Whoever finds it would run the shop. Mohit and Rohit had teamed up, but Tara had no partner. Suddenly, her childhood best friend Nikku, who was her childhood crush, returns to her life. They both decide to go on this quest to discover the magic ingredient. Driving through places like Mathura → Agra → Bareilly → Delhi → Chandigarh → Ludhiana, and many more cities, they come across various clues and riddles to decode, family legacy, meeting with memorable locals, and dangerous moments. During this journey, the bond between Tara and Nikku grows stronger, and eventually they successfully find the magic ingredient. I really loved reading this book not only because it had an adventurous road trip, but also due to the retro setting of the 90s - when Shah Rukh Khan was still a rising star, kurta and jeans were a fashion trend, and listening to songs on the radio was the pinnacle of musical entertainment. The author has included a love angle to the story too, and it develops gradually along with each character’s development. I would definitely recommend this book for people across all age groups, as it uses simple language, is of a comfortable length, and caters to young adults. Though it starts slowly, it picks up pace and keeps you hooked till the end.

“Lallan Sweets” is a sweet little story about love, both romantic and familial and life’s simple pleasures like good food and significant moments. This book takes one right into the 90’s with that sense of nostalgia of scooters and music. It’s about love and family and relationships, and the lessons are good life lessons! The laddoos Lallan Sweets makes are a mystery, and Lalaji’s retirement incites a competition between cousins to help them out. Whoever figures out the magic ingredient first gets to run the shop! Tara is a fierce, no nonsense, confident young lady, willing to fight it out in a man’s world. She’s from the family that started the popular Lallan Sweets. Nikku, Tara’s childhood friend becomes Tara’s companion on the voyage, and they set out together to be on their own adventure. On their journey, they stumble, learn powerful lessons, and ultimately find themselves! The characters seem so real, so relatable, warts and all. I particularly adored ambitious and independent Tara, her blossoming made the story for me! This book vibes the 90s beautifully, with its Bollywood, and in a good old-fashioned way too. It’s a heartwarming reminder of a simpler time and sturdier family bonds! Lalaji stole the show for me. Even though he’s an old fashioned guy, he’s fearless and defies the conventions of the society which makes him unforgettable!🫶🏻 I would highly recommend this book to anyone in need of a feel-good read!📚🫶🏻