Book Prelude..!!
Title: 12 Years [My Messed-up Love Story]
Author: Chetan Bhagat
Pages:432
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publication date: 01 Oct 2025
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
About the Author..!!
Chetan Bhagat is one of India’s most acclaimed contemporary authors, with fourteen bestselling books to his credit. He is the author of ten blockbuster novels—Five Point Someone, One Night @ the Call Center, The 3 Mistakes of My Life, 2 States, Revolution 2020, Half Girlfriend, One Indian Girl, The Girl in Room 105, One Arranged Murder and 400 Days—and four successful non-fiction titles—What Young India Wants, Making India Awesome, India Positive and 11 Rules for Life. Chetan’s books have remained bestsellers since their release. Many of his novels have been adapted into successful Bollywood films such as 3 Idiots, 2 States, Kai Po Che and Half Girlfriend.
Chetan writes columns for leading English and Hindi newspapers, focusing on youth and national development issues. He is also a motivational speaker, screenplay writer, YouTuber, and podcaster.
Chetan quit his international investment-banking career in 2009 to dedicate his time entirely to writing and driving positive change in the country. Chetan studied at IIT Delhi and IIM Ahmedabad. He is married to Anusha, an ex-classmate from IIMA, and they have twin boys, Shyam and Ishaan.
Book Description..!!
The blockbuster new love story by Chetan Bhagat.
He’s 33. She’s 21. He’s a struggling stand-up comic.
She’s a rising star in private equity.
He’s divorced. She’s never had a boyfriend. He’s Punjabi.
She’s from a conservative Jain family.
They shouldn’t be together. But they can’t stay apart.
Welcome to 12 Years: My Messed-Up Love Story.
Saket and Payal couldn’t be more different in age, background, and beliefs. Yet, they’re drawn to each other in ways they can’t explain. Is it just chemistry, or something deeper? Is it madness and lust, or is it love?
Unputdownable and thoroughly entertaining, 12 Years tries to answer the eternal question: How do you know if someone is the one, especially when everything says they’re not?
From India’s top-selling writer Chetan Bhagat comes a powerful new love story that will make you laugh, cry, and rethink everything you know about love.
To Start…!!
Chetan Bhagat is a name that doesn’t need a special introduction in the Indian reading community. For most book lovers, especially Indian readers, he is considered a torchbearer of desi fiction ever since his “Five Point Someone” hit the market. Although I’m not particularly fond of fiction, Chetan Bhagat’s books have always been an exception in my reading list and bookstore purchases.
Book précis…!!!
“12 Years,” a contemporary romance novel by Chetan Bhagat, is a recent hit in the market that portrays the romantic and relationship dynamics between Saket Khurana, a 33-year-old divorced man, and Payal Jain, a 21-year-old passionate yet conservative Punjabi Jain. This narrative unfolds at The Crayon Club in Mumbai, where Saket Khurana, a six-foot-tall, recently divorced man, nervously performs his very first stand-up comedy show.
Encouraged by his best friend Mudit, who owns the club, Saket, who is transitioning from a troubled marriage and a previous career, meets Payal Jain, an enthusiastic employee at a major global private equity firm. Their encounter occurs during a crowd-work segment of Saket’s show. This meeting sparks the beginning of their complex relationship, navigating themes of love across generations, ethnic and caste boundaries, mental health, and societal pressures
Inquisitive Emphasis..!!
While the plot is relatively straightforward and predictable, focusing on the development of love and affection between the protagonists, Saket and Payal, what distinguishes the book is Chetan’s accessible and engaging narration. He effectively portrays contemporary societal issues through the lens of a love story. Although the sensitivity surrounding the 12-year age gap sparked debate within the book-reading community, I feel the plot justifies the aspect of companion errands within the narrative.
Book Prelude..!!
Throughout my reading of 12 Years, I experienced a range of emotions, as the author skillfully upholds laughter, agony, heartbreak, romance, fun, humor, comedy, chaos, and confession. Like all his books, this one carries the essence of a desi flavor in the writing style. While the protagonist Saket, is portrayed as a struggling stand-up comedian, he motivates readers to rebuild and rediscover themselves amidst chaos. The female lead, Payal, inspires readers through her passionate journey as a devoted daughter, faithful spouse, and reliable employee.
Book accolades…!!!
This book seamlessly blends contemporary social commentary with Indian drama, making it particularly relatable for Gen Z and Millennial readers. The author skillfully captures the uncertainties and complexities of modern relationships while delivering entertainment and emotional resonance without disrupting the story’s flow. He commendably crafts emotional depth alongside societal and personal challenges, offering a fresh perspective on the quintessential romantic novel.
Author Accolades..!!!
Chetan Bhagat is known for his engaging and congenial storytelling about Indian youth. His writing often reflects contemporary social issues and personal relationships. Many of his books have been adapted into popular Bollywood films, which adds to their wide reach and impact. With over a dozen books to his name, the author’s ability to influence reader groups and motivate both young adults and adults is truly commendable.
Key Highlights..!!
Chetan introduces authentic spots to vibe with in his writing, detailing bars and nightclubs of Mumbai and Dubai, Jain and Punjabi food and lifestyles, chillout spots in Mumbai, the iconic Marine Drive, and more. For me personally, these serve as to-do recommendations while exploring Payal and Saket’s love odyssey. He adeptly harmonizes profound soulfulness with wit, making even the most intense moments accessible and engaging for the reader. He gives equal weight to every character involved in the story, ensuring empathy and significance in his writing style. Notably, he includes a social media influencer in the storyline, reflecting the current social tenor and enhancing the story’s relatability.
Inquisitive Emphasis..!!
Calling this work a new-age romance, I personally felt there was a heightened emphasis on romantic and intimate elements within the storyline, along with abundant use of the F-word. Although the plot demands such language at times, the author could have still minimized or more adroitly avoided it. However, the plot flow and story advancement remain undisturbed, delivering amusement, engagement, and profound empathy.
Book Assort…!!!
Shoutout to Rachita Rakyan for an appealing book cover design and for choosing the radiant red color. I personally wish to have a “Mudit” as a friend in every challenging life, someone who pulls you out of chaos and passionately motivates you toward a better tomorrow. Undoubtedly, everyone would have encountered someone like Saket or Payal in their own life journey in some way or the other.
End Note..!!!
Overall, 12 Years: My Messed-Up Love Story is a well-crafted age-bound love story delivering new-age romance, continuing Chetan’s legacy of relatable storytelling. Having written several bestselling novels, he once again delivers an emotional banger blending humor, heartbreak, and a feel-good love story. It is one of my most satisfying picks of 2025.
If you enjoy cozy reading infused with the fragrance of Indian romance woven with themes of age difference, contrasting worlds, and relatable emotions, this book will be a perfect choice.
Quote(s)..!!
- When the right woman comes into a man’s life, everything improves.
- Sometimes, you need to swim in a shallow pool so that you don’t drown.
- Isn’t Instagram amazing? It makes everyone else, other than you, look happy.
This review is powered by the Blogchatter Book Review Program.
Links & FootNote..!!
My Handle: Kiran_Kumar_Adharapuram
You can also explore my works -> Here
My Non-Fiction Book Reviews -> Here
My Fiction Book Reviews -> Here
My Self-Help Book Reviews -> Here
