Book Review: “Too Good To Be True” or Too Hyped to Be True?

Too Good To Be True by Prajakta Koli

With high expectations of the book from all the positive reviews and extensive marketing for Prajakta Koli’s debut fiction, “Too Good To Be True” set for disappointment. The book is about a law student, Avani, who works at a bookstore as a part-time employee and meets Aman, a billionaire who owns a retail brand, and steps into her bookstore one day. Despite their undeniable connection, Avani’s deep-seated trust and abandonment issues hold her back. Will she overcome her fears and finally open up to Aman or will she bury her feelings and push people away before they push her away?

I always try to find something redeeming in every book I read, but with Too Good To Be True, that task proved more difficult than expected. I was drawn in by the promise of a heartwarming romance with emotional depth, but the execution left me disappointed at nearly every turn.

The character development of Avani and Aman is minimal to nonexistent, since even in the final chapters, Avani is still the same girl who has abandonment issues and Aman is the same guy who tries to mend the relationship leaving no space for character development between the two. The characterization of Avani and Aman felt more like Dimple and Rishi from Mismatched series that left me thinking that this is Mismatched from a parallel universe.

As for the setting, had the book been set abroad instead of Mumbai, it might have been more believable. I mean an Italian speaking waiter at an Italian restaurant in Mumbai? Eventhough I’m not based out of mumbai, I do know that it’s highly unrealistic and illogical. And many of the other reviewers mentioned about the fact that Avani is a law student who is earning a living through her part time job and has a house in South Mumbai, again I’m not put up in Mumbai but I do know the rental costs there which again seems unrealistic and illogical. 

Beyond just the unrealistic setting, the story also leans heavily on overused romance novel cliche dialogues that feel forced rather than natural. Like how Aman used the phrase, “She’s going to be the death of me” just because she ignored him when he offered her coffee and when Avani used, “you’re going to ruin all the other guys for me” just because he offered to make her breakfast. And don’t even get me started on the placement of “who did this to you”. These phrases once made me giggle and blush like a teenager because of how naturally it flowed with the storyline but here it only made me barf because of how forcefully it was placed in the book.

Avani’s and Aman’s internal thoughts dominate much of the narrative, slowing the pace and making the story feel more like an extended diary entry than a slow-burn romance novel. Additionally, the book frequently throws in references meant to appeal to book lovers, but instead of feeling natural, they come off as excessive and forced, almost as if they were included just for the sake of relatability.

One of my biggest expectations from a desi author was for the book to have more desi elements. However, aside from Avani wearing jhumkas, the book lacks any true cultural depth. Instead, it gives me an all-American vibe. This is why I said that if the book had been set in America, maybe it would’ve worked, but setting it in Mumbai with an overly American setting left me confused.

⭐/5 – Not quite too good to be true.

Too Good To Be True had potential, but it struggles under the weight of its own clichés and inconsistencies. The forced romance, weak character arcs, and overuse of internal monologues make it a frustrating read. While fans of light, trope-heavy romance novels might still find some enjoyment in it, those looking for depth, engaging character development, and a well-paced love story may find themselves disappointed.