What do you think?
Rate this book
Tea for Two and a Piece of Cake
Alternate cover for this ISBN can be found here
What if life threw you a magnificent opportunity, only to knock you down later and laugh at you? Would you fight back or let it pass?
Nisha’s life is far from perfect. At twenty-six, she is plump, plain-looking, and without a boyfriend. A chance date and a bizarre twist of events lead her to the altar with suave Samir Sharma, only to be abandoned eight years later. As she struggles to stand on her own feet, Akash, a younger guy, enters her life. Can Nisha find love a second time?
Tea for Two and a Piece of Cake is an unusual, a heart-warming, and gripping love-story between two people who have so much to lose by getting into a relationship with each other, yet so much to gain.
What if life threw you a magnificent opportunity, only to knock you down later and laugh at you? Would you fight back or let it pass?
Nisha’s life is far from perfect. At twenty-six, she is plump, plain-looking, and without a boyfriend. A chance date and a bizarre twist of events lead her to the altar with suave Samir Sharma, only to be abandoned eight years later. As she struggles to stand on her own feet, Akash, a younger guy, enters her life. Can Nisha find love a second time?
Tea for Two and a Piece of Cake is an unusual, a heart-warming, and gripping love-story between two people who have so much to lose by getting into a relationship with each other, yet so much to gain.
280 pages, Paperback
First published February 14, 2012
113 people are currently reading
2454 people want to read
About the author
Preeti Shenoy
42 books2,451 followersPreeti Shenoy, one of India’s highest-selling authors with over a million books sold, has written seventeen bestselling titles. Known for her accessible style, she explores complex themes such as mental health, gender inequality, and socio-economic divides. Featured on Forbes’ list of influential Indian celebrities, Preeti has represented India at international literature festivals in Birmingham, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi.
Her work has been featured in major media outlets, including BBC World, Cosmopolitan, The Hindu, and The Times of India. She has received prestigious accolades, such as the Popular Choice Fiction Award (2021) from the Times of India’s AutHer Awards and Amazon India’s Most Popular Self-Help Book of 2021. She was also honoured as Indian of the Year and received the Business Excellence Award from the New Delhi Institute of Management.
Beyond writing, Preeti is a sought-after motivational speaker, having delivered talks at organizations like Walmart, Infosys, ISRO, KPMG, and Accenture. A fitness enthusiast, artist, and traveller, she has had her short stories and poetry featured in Condé Nast and Verve. She also writes a monthly opinion column for The Indian Express and has previously contributed to The Financial Chronicle.
Connect with Preeti:
Website: www.preetishenoy.com
Email: ps@preetishenoy.com
Twitter/X: @Preetishenoy
Blog: blog.preetishenoy.com
Instagram: @Preeti.Shenoy | @Preetishenoyart
Facebook: preeti.io/fb
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/preetishenoyauthor
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 253 reviews
May 28, 2020
It is a typical love story-Mills and Boon type. There is hardly any plot and you are pretty much sure where the story line heads. The title has little to do with the plot. Average, time pass read
June 15, 2012
I wish the story was as beautiful as the book cover :-(
Its a beach book, to be read with the lowest expectation possible, and once done to be kept in the darkest corner of your book shelf because its not a piece of work that you would want to possibly revist. I bought this book because I needed something to read on my flight and it was the cheapest option available. Its not always quality that sells (wink)
The story is so very mundane, that there is absolutely nothing to look forward to as you turn the pages of the book. The obvious is printed from the word go.
Its a fiction which has all its lines stolen from the truth - a truth that many women find themselves to be a victim of (and I squarely blame them for it, its no fault of the men). Of course, the author has done a fine balancing act of not pointing fingers whether it was Nisha or Samir who was to blame for the collapse of their relationship.
I am sure many women will be able to relate to the story, which is the reason for its success/good reviews (my belief). From a literary perspective, it just about reaches the average mark.
To give a quick summary for the book - its about Nisha, a person who was ignored throughout her early part of life by her father and friends, and who suddenly finds herself to be the cynosure of a handsome and successful man (Samir). She falls for him, there is some paras right out from a Mills & BOon book, and then marries him, only to morph from an independent woman to a vine of ivy, clinging to her husband and changing her mission to be the best mother in the world at the altar of her marriage. They seperate (for obvious reasons) and she finds herself in the arms of her much younger ex-collegue who had nourished a hidden desire for eight years (wow! in today's world?!) and helps her get back to her feet and then she finds him indispensable and then rushes back to him (bah!).
The ending is equally trite, Nisha's logic is something I fail to understand. She decides to have a live-in, jointly buys a house with him, uproots herself from the city she has lived forever to go back to a remote city. How is this better than marriage? Atleast in marriage you have legal rights. And getting your heart broken is the more serious risk. Etiher you commit completely or you dont. there is no middle ground to it.
The Epilogue was stupid and totally unnecessary. If the author intended to highlight the fact that stay at home moms are frustrated and unhappy with their lives, she couldnt be further from the mark. In our society less than 30% women are working. And trust me, if we had 70% unhappy and angry women in the country, there would be war!!
The language was easy, no fancy stuff here, and all in all its a ok book. You can give it a miss and trade it for a better book.
A technical error that I found was the mention of Haagen Daz icecream in the year 2001. The company didnt start operations in India till 2009, so perhaps the book is fictious after all! (sarcasm intended)
Its a beach book, to be read with the lowest expectation possible, and once done to be kept in the darkest corner of your book shelf because its not a piece of work that you would want to possibly revist. I bought this book because I needed something to read on my flight and it was the cheapest option available. Its not always quality that sells (wink)
The story is so very mundane, that there is absolutely nothing to look forward to as you turn the pages of the book. The obvious is printed from the word go.
Its a fiction which has all its lines stolen from the truth - a truth that many women find themselves to be a victim of (and I squarely blame them for it, its no fault of the men). Of course, the author has done a fine balancing act of not pointing fingers whether it was Nisha or Samir who was to blame for the collapse of their relationship.
I am sure many women will be able to relate to the story, which is the reason for its success/good reviews (my belief). From a literary perspective, it just about reaches the average mark.
To give a quick summary for the book - its about Nisha, a person who was ignored throughout her early part of life by her father and friends, and who suddenly finds herself to be the cynosure of a handsome and successful man (Samir). She falls for him, there is some paras right out from a Mills & BOon book, and then marries him, only to morph from an independent woman to a vine of ivy, clinging to her husband and changing her mission to be the best mother in the world at the altar of her marriage. They seperate (for obvious reasons) and she finds herself in the arms of her much younger ex-collegue who had nourished a hidden desire for eight years (wow! in today's world?!) and helps her get back to her feet and then she finds him indispensable and then rushes back to him (bah!).
The ending is equally trite, Nisha's logic is something I fail to understand. She decides to have a live-in, jointly buys a house with him, uproots herself from the city she has lived forever to go back to a remote city. How is this better than marriage? Atleast in marriage you have legal rights. And getting your heart broken is the more serious risk. Etiher you commit completely or you dont. there is no middle ground to it.
The Epilogue was stupid and totally unnecessary. If the author intended to highlight the fact that stay at home moms are frustrated and unhappy with their lives, she couldnt be further from the mark. In our society less than 30% women are working. And trust me, if we had 70% unhappy and angry women in the country, there would be war!!
The language was easy, no fancy stuff here, and all in all its a ok book. You can give it a miss and trade it for a better book.
A technical error that I found was the mention of Haagen Daz icecream in the year 2001. The company didnt start operations in India till 2009, so perhaps the book is fictious after all! (sarcasm intended)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2015
Not good! Not good! Not good! How this got voted as a bestseller is beyond me.
The story: All there on the back cover. Nothing more, nothing less. The front cover was kinda pretty, though
The characters: Seem terribly superficial and shallow. In fact, all descriptions of the characters seem to be about appearances and nothing else. The main female character is quite down in the dumps cos of her weight issues, but she flashes a bit of cleavage in the beginning, and seems to win the heart of the guy she eventually marries (and gets dumped by)! Shallow and how!
The language is just a sad attempt to use words that try hard to glamorize otherwise boring sentences, and the attempt falls flat on its face. The layout is as linear as a pole. There are some attempts at humor, but the "jokes" are really lame. The mills and boonsiness of the whole thing gets annoying after a few pages.
The ending: blah!
If you're into mills and boons kinda crap, maybe this book is for you. Else, skip it, by all means.
https://rainandabook.wordpress.com/2013/10/05/tea-for-two-and-a-piece-of-cake-by-preeti-shenoy/
The story: All there on the back cover. Nothing more, nothing less. The front cover was kinda pretty, though
The characters: Seem terribly superficial and shallow. In fact, all descriptions of the characters seem to be about appearances and nothing else. The main female character is quite down in the dumps cos of her weight issues, but she flashes a bit of cleavage in the beginning, and seems to win the heart of the guy she eventually marries (and gets dumped by)! Shallow and how!
The language is just a sad attempt to use words that try hard to glamorize otherwise boring sentences, and the attempt falls flat on its face. The layout is as linear as a pole. There are some attempts at humor, but the "jokes" are really lame. The mills and boonsiness of the whole thing gets annoying after a few pages.
The ending: blah!
If you're into mills and boons kinda crap, maybe this book is for you. Else, skip it, by all means.
https://rainandabook.wordpress.com/2013/10/05/tea-for-two-and-a-piece-of-cake-by-preeti-shenoy/
February 28, 2014
This book portrays matured love between Nisha & Akash, the love that's beyond lust, the love that seeks only the inner soul & respect. Kudos Preeti. \m/
Nisha, the lady-lead, plumpy young solitary girl with no-boyfrnd(s) and no-dating histories faces a magnificent change in her life with that one invitation given by her boss at the place she works. Naive Nisha meets Samir Sharma, one pointable personality in the field that she's in (Tourism and Hospitality management) and dates him for his handsomeness & so-called gentleman-ism :P
Circumstances snatches Nisha's job from the place where she worked previously and that's when she's offered to be Samir's Secretary. Oh yea, as expected they fall in love with the course of time and they're getting married. All of a sudden, Nisha's life takes a U-turn. Samir leaves a letter that he's leaving her because he doesn't want to burden himself with two kids amidst his busy carrier. He moves in with Maaya, a young-curvy woman. Devastated-agitated Nisha goes out of Samir's house and starts to earn by starting to cook for parties with the help of Akash, 6 years younger ex-colleague. Once again, there comes a twist. Akash falls for Nisha. He's ready to accept her for what she's and Akash is such a broad-minded, matured, loving man that he considers Nisha's children as his children. Nisha's decision is the rest of the story.
Well-narrated story. As in all Preeti Shenoy's novels, this one also having a broken marriage. I could visually imagine all the scenes. I felt as if I am the one who underwent watevr that was narrated after completing the book. So-realistic & gripping. This book shows the tensions in marital life, especially after having kids. Must read for all the couples who doesn't respect the differences but considers the differences as starting points to bug each-other.
Nisha, the lady-lead, plumpy young solitary girl with no-boyfrnd(s) and no-dating histories faces a magnificent change in her life with that one invitation given by her boss at the place she works. Naive Nisha meets Samir Sharma, one pointable personality in the field that she's in (Tourism and Hospitality management) and dates him for his handsomeness & so-called gentleman-ism :P
Circumstances snatches Nisha's job from the place where she worked previously and that's when she's offered to be Samir's Secretary. Oh yea, as expected they fall in love with the course of time and they're getting married. All of a sudden, Nisha's life takes a U-turn. Samir leaves a letter that he's leaving her because he doesn't want to burden himself with two kids amidst his busy carrier. He moves in with Maaya, a young-curvy woman. Devastated-agitated Nisha goes out of Samir's house and starts to earn by starting to cook for parties with the help of Akash, 6 years younger ex-colleague. Once again, there comes a twist. Akash falls for Nisha. He's ready to accept her for what she's and Akash is such a broad-minded, matured, loving man that he considers Nisha's children as his children. Nisha's decision is the rest of the story.
Well-narrated story. As in all Preeti Shenoy's novels, this one also having a broken marriage. I could visually imagine all the scenes. I felt as if I am the one who underwent watevr that was narrated after completing the book. So-realistic & gripping. This book shows the tensions in marital life, especially after having kids. Must read for all the couples who doesn't respect the differences but considers the differences as starting points to bug each-other.
March 27, 2014
here’s another cheezy - breezy read from the talented author. Tea for two and a piece of cake takes us through the journey of Nisha, from her falling in love and getting married to her ultimate stance as a strong, independent woman.
A plump, ordinary girl gets the attention and interest of a handsome rich business tycoon who is so loving, considerate and perfect. They have a fairytale wedding, perfect dream home and romance. They have two lovely kids.And one fine day, the perfect husband calls her up and says the marriage is over.
As for Nisha, her life was full of situations that she had to tackle on her own. But life handed her a fantastic surprise. It brought into her life a second chance for romance and this time, she knew it was right and just perfect for her and the kids.!!
Love is not about perfection. It is about being with some one who understands that perfection happens when two people understand and respect each other totally, without any terms and conditions.
i didn't know that the chapters were named after famous song albums !
The simplicity in the book wins you over. If you are looking for a new, light and refreshing read, definitely go for this one!
A plump, ordinary girl gets the attention and interest of a handsome rich business tycoon who is so loving, considerate and perfect. They have a fairytale wedding, perfect dream home and romance. They have two lovely kids.And one fine day, the perfect husband calls her up and says the marriage is over.
As for Nisha, her life was full of situations that she had to tackle on her own. But life handed her a fantastic surprise. It brought into her life a second chance for romance and this time, she knew it was right and just perfect for her and the kids.!!
Love is not about perfection. It is about being with some one who understands that perfection happens when two people understand and respect each other totally, without any terms and conditions.
i didn't know that the chapters were named after famous song albums !
The simplicity in the book wins you over. If you are looking for a new, light and refreshing read, definitely go for this one!
March 16, 2020
It is the story of Samir and Nisha - they meet accidentally in a party, fell in love and then married. After 8 years of marriage, one fine day, Samir decides to divorce her and Nisha tries to find how and where the love disappeared in this years.
It is then Akash enters her life, her old colleague who loved her. Will she fall in love again?, will she get over Samir? Will she find love for second time?
The story is very plain with no high or low points, no suspense and nothing to look forward chapter after chapter. I will say a bit stretched, some chapters are added just to create more content. Having read other books from the same author, this looked pretty ordinary - like any other love story with minor twists here and there. Some scenes are so filmy that you feel like, WHAT, and the ending is very predictable.
Average read - you can try if you have plenty of time.
It is then Akash enters her life, her old colleague who loved her. Will she fall in love again?, will she get over Samir? Will she find love for second time?
The story is very plain with no high or low points, no suspense and nothing to look forward chapter after chapter. I will say a bit stretched, some chapters are added just to create more content. Having read other books from the same author, this looked pretty ordinary - like any other love story with minor twists here and there. Some scenes are so filmy that you feel like, WHAT, and the ending is very predictable.
Average read - you can try if you have plenty of time.
September 12, 2014
A very breezy read. A no-brainer, so as to say – we need just flow emotionally with the story. My main problem with the book was the amount of ‘Indianised’ language that I encountered, and as a sub-editor myself, I think the editor of the book has done a shoddy job, not alerting the writer to the potential pitfalls of the syntax being used.
As a woman, I could completely relate to the book and its situations – my mother was a single parent too, and I know how difficult it would be to manage two children with limited income. As a spouse of a love marriage, I know how the ‘you-changed-after-marriage’ thing turns out as well – the hotch-potch of expectations, miscommunication and the dreariness of ‘existing’ for the family. I understand how maternal instincts work. All of that is portrayed well. However, the lead characters seem to be making a life of rebound relations – and I wonder, is it something that has become common in the present “fast life”?
To its discredit, the novel does not have strong characterisation – there are people, and there are situations, but the only two people who actually seem to have notable and consistent characters in the novel are Akash and Nisha. Of course this is also the fault of the first-person narrative – the reader sees everything from the eyes of the narrator alone. We sympathise with the narrator, we see their points of view, we cry with them, we are happy for them.
I see myself comparing this to Shashi Deshpande’s The Dark Holds No Terrors and then, it comes out quite weak. While Deshpande’s work is a literary classic, this one falls into chic-lit category. A piece of cake indeed.
As a woman, I could completely relate to the book and its situations – my mother was a single parent too, and I know how difficult it would be to manage two children with limited income. As a spouse of a love marriage, I know how the ‘you-changed-after-marriage’ thing turns out as well – the hotch-potch of expectations, miscommunication and the dreariness of ‘existing’ for the family. I understand how maternal instincts work. All of that is portrayed well. However, the lead characters seem to be making a life of rebound relations – and I wonder, is it something that has become common in the present “fast life”?
To its discredit, the novel does not have strong characterisation – there are people, and there are situations, but the only two people who actually seem to have notable and consistent characters in the novel are Akash and Nisha. Of course this is also the fault of the first-person narrative – the reader sees everything from the eyes of the narrator alone. We sympathise with the narrator, we see their points of view, we cry with them, we are happy for them.
I see myself comparing this to Shashi Deshpande’s The Dark Holds No Terrors and then, it comes out quite weak. While Deshpande’s work is a literary classic, this one falls into chic-lit category. A piece of cake indeed.
January 25, 2013
It's not really a three...I was juggling between a two and three, and then I was reminded that she is an Indian author...and hence, she deserves a three...
I liked her earlier novel 'Life is what you make it' way better...this one is just a plain Jane novel going around...probably an Indian version of Mills and Boons...just that unlike M&B, the lady doesn't get a happily ever after again with her husband...but well, she gets a happily ever after (in a rather unconventional way by Indian standards)..
The writing, pretty decent, definitely better than what one normally expects from usual run-of-the-mill Indian authors...and honestly, even when the debate was about the topic I seriously believe in, the part that touched me the most of the husband's mail...somehow all through the novel, I really didn't connect well with the Lady...and it was always a little easier to understand the Husband...
All in a all a good quick read...but nothing that would really touch you, or make you think for long...
I liked her earlier novel 'Life is what you make it' way better...this one is just a plain Jane novel going around...probably an Indian version of Mills and Boons...just that unlike M&B, the lady doesn't get a happily ever after again with her husband...but well, she gets a happily ever after (in a rather unconventional way by Indian standards)..
The writing, pretty decent, definitely better than what one normally expects from usual run-of-the-mill Indian authors...and honestly, even when the debate was about the topic I seriously believe in, the part that touched me the most of the husband's mail...somehow all through the novel, I really didn't connect well with the Lady...and it was always a little easier to understand the Husband...
All in a all a good quick read...but nothing that would really touch you, or make you think for long...
February 18, 2013
Wow!!! I can't recall another book that I finished within a day...Though the book start with a M & B touch, Preeti Shenoy did get me hooked on this story...It was a story about Nisha and the way she survived her broken marriage.
The first half of the book was almost an Indian version of a Mills & Boons story, but the story picked up some character in the second half. The writing is pretty good and there is an easy flow in the writing which is rare in Indian writing :)
I liked the way she was dealing with the relationship problems especially when it comes to marriage. One party is not totally responsible for the
Verdict Great book for a light read...
The first half of the book was almost an Indian version of a Mills & Boons story, but the story picked up some character in the second half. The writing is pretty good and there is an easy flow in the writing which is rare in Indian writing :)
I liked the way she was dealing with the relationship problems especially when it comes to marriage. One party is not totally responsible for the
Verdict Great book for a light read...
May 17, 2012
An average book that looks like a real life incident. I picked this because i follow Preeti's blog but cant rave that it was superb :(
January 27, 2021
I would like to thank Mrs Shenoy for reminding me how stupid and cringe-worthy romance novels can be. (And specially if they are by Indian authors) This is definitely one of the most stupid books I've ever read.
So I found this book lying outside my hostel room.(the owner must have vacated and left all the "unnecessary things" behind) After inquiring and getting no positive response I took it because finders keepers right ;) And the idea of passing a free book is too hard to pass. I knew this book was going to be terrible (romance is my least favorite genre) but I never guessed I would hate it so much.
Now I know how the back-cover of this book states someone from Tribune saying this story to be refreshing and someone from Times thinking it to be excellent but believe me this is just the opposite of refreshing. There is nothing new to the story, it's the same old plain unpleasant love story.
To start with the characters - everyone was plain stupid. Each and every character was just annoying. The main character Nisha was a big hypocrite whose confidence level was to wear something sexy and feel desired. Her love interests were also like her, totally obnoxious. I can go on and on about how annoying the characters were but I feel I would just repeat myself.
There's no story, no plot, nothing of interest in the book and the writing is atrocious. Suffice to say, I cringed and made a horrendous face on every single page of the book.
For reading this book, you need to put your brain and logic aside.
I finished this in between my class breaks and lunch break (really, this book is so poor that you just have to skim through it) While my classmates chatted or scrolled down their mobile phones, I spent my time reading (though it was not worth it)
I don't know whether to feel proud for this or not lol.
So I found this book lying outside my hostel room.(the owner must have vacated and left all the "unnecessary things" behind) After inquiring and getting no positive response I took it because finders keepers right ;) And the idea of passing a free book is too hard to pass. I knew this book was going to be terrible (romance is my least favorite genre) but I never guessed I would hate it so much.
Now I know how the back-cover of this book states someone from Tribune saying this story to be refreshing and someone from Times thinking it to be excellent but believe me this is just the opposite of refreshing. There is nothing new to the story, it's the same old plain unpleasant love story.
To start with the characters - everyone was plain stupid. Each and every character was just annoying. The main character Nisha was a big hypocrite whose confidence level was to wear something sexy and feel desired. Her love interests were also like her, totally obnoxious. I can go on and on about how annoying the characters were but I feel I would just repeat myself.
There's no story, no plot, nothing of interest in the book and the writing is atrocious. Suffice to say, I cringed and made a horrendous face on every single page of the book.
For reading this book, you need to put your brain and logic aside.
I finished this in between my class breaks and lunch break (really, this book is so poor that you just have to skim through it) While my classmates chatted or scrolled down their mobile phones, I spent my time reading (though it was not worth it)
I don't know whether to feel proud for this or not lol.
July 31, 2021
Indian romance author be following anti-murphy's law
anything that can go right will go right
anything that can go right will go right
August 3, 2025
This was an easy read about growing up mentally as we look back at how past history has shaped us. Things aren’t always like the narrative we created in our minds.
October 3, 2013
Protagonists: Nisha, the plump-plain-Jane in her own words; Samir, the sauvé high-flying business executive; Akash, the ever-so sweet younger guy.
Sometimes never judge a book by its cover doesn’t really work and Preeti Shenoy’s book Tea for two and piece of cake falls under that category. The story revolves around Nisha, an ordinary nobody who has a chance encounter with a tall handsome rich man at a party that changes the course of her life. What starts as a whorl-wind romance results in a bitter separation leaving Nisha with two small kids in tow. Shortly comes in the knight in shining armour Akash who transforms Nisha’s life yet another time.
Somehow, the book came across to be rather juvenile. The writing is rather childish and tends to drift towards justifying Nisha’s pains and sorrow and her actions. Some incidences are however heart-warming and save the book from being classified in the trash category. The narrative in many instances makes you wonder how does a simple girl like Nisha get so lucky that too twice. It also gives a rather happy if not illusionary picture that life can be a bed of roses even when your husband of eight years decides to move on. But then, that’s Nisha for you! Would have appreciated more had the writer dwelled more on the childhood phase of the main protagonist for the readers to appreciate the character.
Even though the book is quite predictable; it is indeed page-turning. There is a definite scope for improvement in the writing from the author’s end that would make her stand a class apart in the chick-lit category.
Sometimes never judge a book by its cover doesn’t really work and Preeti Shenoy’s book Tea for two and piece of cake falls under that category. The story revolves around Nisha, an ordinary nobody who has a chance encounter with a tall handsome rich man at a party that changes the course of her life. What starts as a whorl-wind romance results in a bitter separation leaving Nisha with two small kids in tow. Shortly comes in the knight in shining armour Akash who transforms Nisha’s life yet another time.
Somehow, the book came across to be rather juvenile. The writing is rather childish and tends to drift towards justifying Nisha’s pains and sorrow and her actions. Some incidences are however heart-warming and save the book from being classified in the trash category. The narrative in many instances makes you wonder how does a simple girl like Nisha get so lucky that too twice. It also gives a rather happy if not illusionary picture that life can be a bed of roses even when your husband of eight years decides to move on. But then, that’s Nisha for you! Would have appreciated more had the writer dwelled more on the childhood phase of the main protagonist for the readers to appreciate the character.
Even though the book is quite predictable; it is indeed page-turning. There is a definite scope for improvement in the writing from the author’s end that would make her stand a class apart in the chick-lit category.
December 22, 2012
The book was quite incomplete and too predictable. Worth only a one time read. Nisha's character was only done in detail. The male protagonists weren't explored well enough. I was not satisfied with the portrayal of Nisha's father. His indifference was something that i couldn't understand though its role in shaping her made sense.
However, Samir's reason for dumping her were too sudden and only limited to some minor entries and the letter. It wasn't balanced. It made me wonder if he really was that bad a guy. The portrayal was too stereotypical. I wondered about his point of view and his reasons for marrying her. It was so sudden. its hard to believe in Samir's coldness towards the children.
There was absolutely nothing about Maya and Samir as well..One couldn't see the way a couple married for 8 years with 2 children would behave that way in a party when they meet for the first time after so much bitterness..
Overall, i thought the book was written in an average manner, characters were below average while setting and description poor.
Not recommended unless you want to read something without thought or provocation!
However, Samir's reason for dumping her were too sudden and only limited to some minor entries and the letter. It wasn't balanced. It made me wonder if he really was that bad a guy. The portrayal was too stereotypical. I wondered about his point of view and his reasons for marrying her. It was so sudden. its hard to believe in Samir's coldness towards the children.
There was absolutely nothing about Maya and Samir as well..One couldn't see the way a couple married for 8 years with 2 children would behave that way in a party when they meet for the first time after so much bitterness..
Overall, i thought the book was written in an average manner, characters were below average while setting and description poor.
Not recommended unless you want to read something without thought or provocation!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2016
Why is there no 'chic lit' warning sign to flag away unsuspecting readers?
Flipping through the first half introduced me to a dozen ditzy characters headed by a protagonist who 'feels desirable' only when her self-loathing, self-bodyshaming, inferiority complex ridden, plump self is shoved inside a slutty dress, who indulges in drunken sex (the worst kind , IMHO, since it shrugs off the onus of 'choice') - and she does it with 'a man way beyond her dreams' who leaves her 'feeling complete for the first time ever.'
Not my cup of tea. And certainly not my type of cake.
Flipping through the first half introduced me to a dozen ditzy characters headed by a protagonist who 'feels desirable' only when her self-loathing, self-bodyshaming, inferiority complex ridden, plump self is shoved inside a slutty dress, who indulges in drunken sex (the worst kind , IMHO, since it shrugs off the onus of 'choice') - and she does it with 'a man way beyond her dreams' who leaves her 'feeling complete for the first time ever.'
Not my cup of tea. And certainly not my type of cake.
March 29, 2021
It was the tenth book I had read written by the same author . As convincing as the story sounded I did feel that there were plenty of loopholes and could have been written better. I have observed a very demeaning point in most of Preeti Shenoy’s books : The Protagonists are always good looking , well maintained with dream bodies . I was initially happy to read that the female protagonist of this story doesnt fit into that description . Ultimately thats where it headed. Second of all there’s absolutely no logic in the story . It ‘s a literal illustration of how 2 Kids’ lives are taken for an absolute joke . Another point I did notice is how the job of a housewife has been undermined in this book. The writing style of this author undermines arrange marriages , which speaks of how much she advocates love marriages which is starkly visible in the story . Honestly how much ever appealing this story sounds , jumping from one man to another just can’t become the sole solution in a woman’s life . Just so sad to see such poorly thought of stories . Why can’t a woman who is divorced be happy with just her two kids? Why is it so necessary for her to seek support from a man? Its just so sick how the concept of having a plutonic and friendly relationship with a man has been sexualised in the story . Authors really have to give enough thought to such aspects of the story which can have a huge impact on the readers , especially younger ones.
April 6, 2023
Tea for two and a piece of cake... When I started reading I'm very curious about this book name😀😀 how this name suit for this book... Any way I enjoyed reading Preethi shenoys books.. l like her style of writing.. it's very simple & digestive for everyone.... Waiting for her more books.....
April 2, 2012
Tea for Two and a Piece Of Cake
Preeti Shenoy
Grade B+
The book Tea for Two and a Piece of Cake, with its unusually beautiful name, is a story about finding love unexpectedly, losing it unpredictably and learning to love again miraculously.
What if life threw you a magnificent opportunity, only to knock you down and later laugh at you? Would you fight back or let it pass?
Nisha’s life is far from perfect. At twenty-six, she is plump, plain-looking and without a boyfriend. A chance date and a bizarre twist of events lead her to the altar with suave Samir Sharma, only to be abandoned eight years later. As she struggles to stand on her own feet, Akash, a younger guy, enters her life. Can Nisha find love a second time?
Tea for Two and a Piece of Cake is an unusual, a heart warming, and gripping love story between two people who have so much to lose by getting into a relationship with each other, yet so much to gain.
Nisha-the-plain-Jane works at an office called Point to Point with a miserable boss. She is distressed with the fact of having those extra pounds on her body and the fact of having no boyfriend at twenty- six. She out of the blue meets the hunk Sameer Sharma, the owner of a hotshot travel agency Magellan, and they fall in love with each other head over heels, ending up in getting married and having two beautiful children.
But life changes for Nisha drastically after her husband calls her up to say that their marriage had ended. He has left her for a younger, slimmer woman and Nisha is left heartbroken.
Preeti Shenoy, has marvellously told us the story of Nisha like a fairy tale from a different angle. While the other fairy tales end with ‘happily ever after’, Preeti Shenoy starts her tale with the real story of the ‘after’ of HEA. The story clearly shouts that marriage is not the bend of roses like we think of it to be. It is the point where the real action in life begins.
One thing that I liked about the book is that the author has tried to make the reader understand the situations of both Samir and Nisha. None of them seems wrong at their stance. A broken marriage is not the fault of just one person. If it is broken, each of them has gone wrong somewhere or the other. She has wonderfully shown both sides of the coin in love and the marriage.
The author has nicely switched back and for in time taking the help of Nisha’a journals and exquisite flashbacks. Usage of similes at perfect instances proves that she is one of the real authors in India that we have. Talking of the other authors in India, compared to most of them, Shenoy has an extensively nice vocabulary used in the book and has a nice simple plot that doesn’t create confusions.
The story doesn’t bore you at any point. Though it is the tale of a woman who has been ditched after eight years of marriage and all the hardships she faces adjusting to her new life, Shenoy makes the reader smile with her quick witted humour.
I’d recommend this to the romance readers. Even if you don’t read Indian authors, read Shenoy. It is worth your time.
Preeti Shenoy
Grade B+
The book Tea for Two and a Piece of Cake, with its unusually beautiful name, is a story about finding love unexpectedly, losing it unpredictably and learning to love again miraculously.
What if life threw you a magnificent opportunity, only to knock you down and later laugh at you? Would you fight back or let it pass?
Nisha’s life is far from perfect. At twenty-six, she is plump, plain-looking and without a boyfriend. A chance date and a bizarre twist of events lead her to the altar with suave Samir Sharma, only to be abandoned eight years later. As she struggles to stand on her own feet, Akash, a younger guy, enters her life. Can Nisha find love a second time?
Tea for Two and a Piece of Cake is an unusual, a heart warming, and gripping love story between two people who have so much to lose by getting into a relationship with each other, yet so much to gain.
Nisha-the-plain-Jane works at an office called Point to Point with a miserable boss. She is distressed with the fact of having those extra pounds on her body and the fact of having no boyfriend at twenty- six. She out of the blue meets the hunk Sameer Sharma, the owner of a hotshot travel agency Magellan, and they fall in love with each other head over heels, ending up in getting married and having two beautiful children.
But life changes for Nisha drastically after her husband calls her up to say that their marriage had ended. He has left her for a younger, slimmer woman and Nisha is left heartbroken.
Preeti Shenoy, has marvellously told us the story of Nisha like a fairy tale from a different angle. While the other fairy tales end with ‘happily ever after’, Preeti Shenoy starts her tale with the real story of the ‘after’ of HEA. The story clearly shouts that marriage is not the bend of roses like we think of it to be. It is the point where the real action in life begins.
One thing that I liked about the book is that the author has tried to make the reader understand the situations of both Samir and Nisha. None of them seems wrong at their stance. A broken marriage is not the fault of just one person. If it is broken, each of them has gone wrong somewhere or the other. She has wonderfully shown both sides of the coin in love and the marriage.
The author has nicely switched back and for in time taking the help of Nisha’a journals and exquisite flashbacks. Usage of similes at perfect instances proves that she is one of the real authors in India that we have. Talking of the other authors in India, compared to most of them, Shenoy has an extensively nice vocabulary used in the book and has a nice simple plot that doesn’t create confusions.
The story doesn’t bore you at any point. Though it is the tale of a woman who has been ditched after eight years of marriage and all the hardships she faces adjusting to her new life, Shenoy makes the reader smile with her quick witted humour.
I’d recommend this to the romance readers. Even if you don’t read Indian authors, read Shenoy. It is worth your time.
July 15, 2012
Preeti Shenoy is, officially, the first author I ever read and I was swept off my feet. Her second novel, Life is what you make it, was really a read, which I will never forget in my life. In fact, that book is the reason now I am addicted to reading...
This piece of work is a masterpiece. It is so well written. Every page hooks you to it. It could be a one-go, if you a good reader, unlike me. I enjoyed each every page of the story. It takes, for you, to only read the prologue to get you hooked.
The story is so unique to what I read now-a-days.
The prologue runs like this. Nisha is bathing her seven month old baby boy, Rohit. She gets a call from his husband, Samir. "Our eight years old marriage is over," he says over the call, which is the incident of the whole story.
The first half of the story deals pre-incident - how Nisha met Samir, how they fell in love - and the second half deals with the post-incident scene - how she copes up with the life...
A very good page turner...
This piece of work is a masterpiece. It is so well written. Every page hooks you to it. It could be a one-go, if you a good reader, unlike me. I enjoyed each every page of the story. It takes, for you, to only read the prologue to get you hooked.
The story is so unique to what I read now-a-days.
The prologue runs like this. Nisha is bathing her seven month old baby boy, Rohit. She gets a call from his husband, Samir. "Our eight years old marriage is over," he says over the call, which is the incident of the whole story.
The first half of the story deals pre-incident - how Nisha met Samir, how they fell in love - and the second half deals with the post-incident scene - how she copes up with the life...
A very good page turner...
July 17, 2015
'Tea for two and a piece of cake' by Preeti Shenoy Ma'am. No need to mention it is another story of a brave female character named Nisha who walks out of her husband's house after a seperation, with her two kids! The story is a small outlook of how her life changes with the introduction of few more characters. Story is soul stirring and it filled me with hope, as it made me believe that things fall in place even after the worst disasters.
I think I have read this book really late as I expect bynow everyone of you must have read this but I could'nt stop myself from displaying my gratitude as this book is actually a page turner. I find myself really small to rate this book! But one thing I can promise, no one can ever regret reading Tea for Two and a Piece of Cake!
Cheers!
I think I have read this book really late as I expect bynow everyone of you must have read this but I could'nt stop myself from displaying my gratitude as this book is actually a page turner. I find myself really small to rate this book! But one thing I can promise, no one can ever regret reading Tea for Two and a Piece of Cake!
Cheers!
July 25, 2013
Booring. Booring. Booring.
I could go on, but I think you get the point. This book has nothing new to offer- stale dialogues, predictable situations and shallow characters. It tries to push the envelope in some ways, but the general impressions is very trite and contrived. I think Preeti Shenoy was just trying too hard, and that's evident in the end product.
Skip, but only read on a plane (that too one which doesn't offer movies)if you must.
I could go on, but I think you get the point. This book has nothing new to offer- stale dialogues, predictable situations and shallow characters. It tries to push the envelope in some ways, but the general impressions is very trite and contrived. I think Preeti Shenoy was just trying too hard, and that's evident in the end product.
Skip, but only read on a plane (that too one which doesn't offer movies)if you must.
October 13, 2015
As usual Preeti Shenoy nailed it. Life is not what you expect. It won't be perfect as you planned nor the worst scenario you would not be expecting. What ever happens, it just a speed break on a highway. The way you handle it matters, you can bump onto it without brakes or slow down steady your vehicle and drive.
Just my review in a different way without exposing the story.
Just my review in a different way without exposing the story.
September 3, 2016
What could have been a compelling plot is handled in a callous manner, with superficial characters and below average prose. Can easily be given a miss. Or, if you read it with zero expectations, on a day you don't have anything else to read, you might just like it. I skimmed through it for the most part, having finished it in less than an hour.
February 4, 2019
A perfect example of a happy Bollywood story..! This book is completely bland n u can easily expect or predict what’s going to happen next! I would definitely not recommend this book to anyone! I have to complete this book only because I do not like to leave any book unfinished once I have started reading..!
December 21, 2020
A disappointing read... Plain narration.. No imagination.. Shallow characters. You understand the plot in the third page it self and annoyling it does happen the same way no twist no climax.
August 22, 2015
Who said marriage is the only reason for long lasting relationships ? It is the love behind ! :)
December 22, 2021
𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 : Tea for two and a piece of cake
𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓 : @preeti.shenoy
Simple and cozy read 💝
𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 :
A typical,small town with big dreams girl is still trying to make it there. Nisha grew up without her mom and very little love from her father,at 26 she was nothing like any other girls.However,destiny has its own way.
📚
Nisha finds the best out of life when she least expects it.There are moments that feel like a dream and Nisha has no control over it.Samir has been a blessing and soon she is happily married and also has 2 angel kids.
📚
Its too late when Nisha actually realizes that her life is going in the wrong direction.Everything seemed perfect then why is Samir leaving her?So many questions with no answer.Will she be able to take control of her life?Will there be another guardian angel for Nisha?How will Nisha's actions take a u-turn and prove her abilities?
𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘:
Ok.Firstly,I love love love and absolutely love @preeti.shenoy She is an amazing author and even more amazing Human. But without any bias,I loved this book too ❤️ Its is just sooooo good !!So simple,very realistic and a very feel good book.I could relate to a lot of situations as I have been there my self.Cannot recommend enough ❤️
I know this book has been renamed,but this was gifted to me by a very dear friend,almost 9yrs ago.It was always with me but never picked it up to read.One fine day,when I was just blank and didn't know what to do,I picked this up and finished reading it.This one will be close to my heart 💓 ALWAYS !!!!!
𝑻𝒂𝒈𝒔:
#bookreview #readreviewrecommend #mybookshelf18 #mybookshelf #bookrecommendations #bookreviewer #booklife #bookreviews #bookphotography #bookoholic #bookworm #bookcommunity #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #bookphoto #booknerd #bookclub #reviewer #booklist #bookreaders #richardandjudybookclub #goodreadschallenge #goodreads
#preethishenoy #indianauthors #primereads #romancebooks #feelgoodquotes #teafortwoandapieceofcake
𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓 : @preeti.shenoy
Simple and cozy read 💝
𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 :
A typical,small town with big dreams girl is still trying to make it there. Nisha grew up without her mom and very little love from her father,at 26 she was nothing like any other girls.However,destiny has its own way.
📚
Nisha finds the best out of life when she least expects it.There are moments that feel like a dream and Nisha has no control over it.Samir has been a blessing and soon she is happily married and also has 2 angel kids.
📚
Its too late when Nisha actually realizes that her life is going in the wrong direction.Everything seemed perfect then why is Samir leaving her?So many questions with no answer.Will she be able to take control of her life?Will there be another guardian angel for Nisha?How will Nisha's actions take a u-turn and prove her abilities?
𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘:
Ok.Firstly,I love love love and absolutely love @preeti.shenoy She is an amazing author and even more amazing Human. But without any bias,I loved this book too ❤️ Its is just sooooo good !!So simple,very realistic and a very feel good book.I could relate to a lot of situations as I have been there my self.Cannot recommend enough ❤️
I know this book has been renamed,but this was gifted to me by a very dear friend,almost 9yrs ago.It was always with me but never picked it up to read.One fine day,when I was just blank and didn't know what to do,I picked this up and finished reading it.This one will be close to my heart 💓 ALWAYS !!!!!
𝑻𝒂𝒈𝒔:
#bookreview #readreviewrecommend #mybookshelf18 #mybookshelf #bookrecommendations #bookreviewer #booklife #bookreviews #bookphotography #bookoholic #bookworm #bookcommunity #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #bookphoto #booknerd #bookclub #reviewer #booklist #bookreaders #richardandjudybookclub #goodreadschallenge #goodreads
#preethishenoy #indianauthors #primereads #romancebooks #feelgoodquotes #teafortwoandapieceofcake
December 26, 2019
Tea For Two And A Piece Of Cake was my first read of Preeti Shenoy’s book. A light, quick, and easy read. Preeti Shenoy is among the great authors on the Forbes list of the most influential celebrities in India. She has been awarded the “Indian of the Year” award by Brand Academy for her contribution to Literature.
Preeti Shenoy has beautifully portrayed how a woman can climb up the ladder with her determination and will power, even after she is left with nothing to expect from life.
Nisha, a plump- plain-Jane works as a secretary to the dashing and royal guy Samir Sharma. They started liking each other, and their relationship moved from love to marriage. She joined cookery classes to keep herself engaged and to follow her passion. Life was sailing smoothly until Samir backed off for another lady. Eight years of marriage and a mother of two tiny tots, seven years old Tanya and seven months old son Rohit was all she had. She was heart-broken yet gathered herself with the help of a good friend Akash. Rejecting Samir's financial offer, she was determined to prove her self.
Akash, a good friend from yesteryears stood by her and supported during her trials channelizing her extraordinary culinary skills into a profession. She starts cooking for parties to make her living. He secretly started admiring and loving her. Will Nisha accept him or establish her passion into a full-time profession is what the climax of the book reveal.
The story plot is simple with few characters making it easy to understand and read. Being dejected, the brave Nisha decided to re-establish herself rather than crying over spilled milk. I read this book four years back and re-read for the prompt. Overall, the book speaks on women empowerment, from being a homemaker to a professional. Nisha traveled the rocky roads to prove herself
Preeti Shenoy has beautifully portrayed how a woman can climb up the ladder with her determination and will power, even after she is left with nothing to expect from life.
Nisha, a plump- plain-Jane works as a secretary to the dashing and royal guy Samir Sharma. They started liking each other, and their relationship moved from love to marriage. She joined cookery classes to keep herself engaged and to follow her passion. Life was sailing smoothly until Samir backed off for another lady. Eight years of marriage and a mother of two tiny tots, seven years old Tanya and seven months old son Rohit was all she had. She was heart-broken yet gathered herself with the help of a good friend Akash. Rejecting Samir's financial offer, she was determined to prove her self.
Akash, a good friend from yesteryears stood by her and supported during her trials channelizing her extraordinary culinary skills into a profession. She starts cooking for parties to make her living. He secretly started admiring and loving her. Will Nisha accept him or establish her passion into a full-time profession is what the climax of the book reveal.
The story plot is simple with few characters making it easy to understand and read. Being dejected, the brave Nisha decided to re-establish herself rather than crying over spilled milk. I read this book four years back and re-read for the prompt. Overall, the book speaks on women empowerment, from being a homemaker to a professional. Nisha traveled the rocky roads to prove herself
July 1, 2021
This book for me was a classic case of -"I judged a book by its cover & now I regret it". I really wanted to like it. Really.
I bought it from a second hand book store wondering why would anybody give such a pretty looking book away ? And about 20 pages into the book, I got the answer to that question. I'd like to state primarily that it isn't that the writing is completely unbearable. I've encountered some very unbearable writing styles in the process of discovering Indian authors and some of them happen to be bestsellers, which is beyond my understanding. Here, its just that the author has tried too hard to make sentences sound chic by using unnecessarily complex synonyms to otherwise simple sounding words.
Attempts were made to make you feel empathy for "plain Jane" (you come across this phrase so many times throughout the first half it gets annoying, honestly), I felt ….. nothing . But at least she happens to be a two dimensional character with all the constant rambling about how she's a plum gal which is supposedly the source of half her miseries. Other characters are straight up flat. Some of them aren't even good plot devices. Its a quick read though.
The only fresh take, non cliché part, would be that Jane dearest refuses to marry the second guy and still be with him without the tag at the end. A star for that.
I bought it from a second hand book store wondering why would anybody give such a pretty looking book away ? And about 20 pages into the book, I got the answer to that question. I'd like to state primarily that it isn't that the writing is completely unbearable. I've encountered some very unbearable writing styles in the process of discovering Indian authors and some of them happen to be bestsellers, which is beyond my understanding. Here, its just that the author has tried too hard to make sentences sound chic by using unnecessarily complex synonyms to otherwise simple sounding words.
Attempts were made to make you feel empathy for "plain Jane" (you come across this phrase so many times throughout the first half it gets annoying, honestly), I felt ….. nothing . But at least she happens to be a two dimensional character with all the constant rambling about how she's a plum gal which is supposedly the source of half her miseries. Other characters are straight up flat. Some of them aren't even good plot devices. Its a quick read though.
The only fresh take, non cliché part, would be that Jane dearest refuses to marry the second guy and still be with him without the tag at the end. A star for that.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 253 reviews