Romance novels have a strange power over me. No matter how much I understand the realities of love and relationships, fictional men often feel more emotionally present than real-life partners. In my latest blog, I dive into This Thing Called Love by Deblina Bhattacharyya—a heartwarming story that explores forced marriage, emotional healing, and cross-cultural dynamics through the lens of two beautifully flawed characters, Deven and Amaira. It’s a slow-burn, character-driven romance that reminds us how powerful quiet love can be—and why sometimes, book boyfriends raise the bar a little too high.