Book name: I Wish we'd never met again
Author: its_anki
Genre: Romance
Fandom: AvNeil, but can be read as General Fiction
No. of chapters: 42
Mature?: No

➵ First impression: Don't get demotivated, please. But I have seen and read several books on this concept and plot. So, it's cliché for me. But I have my hopes high for this book.

➵ Cover: The cover is very simple and doesn't catch attention much. Maybe you should try something different? Instead of the picture where the couple is hugging, you can show them face-to-face - as in the starting chapters. Or maybe a picture of a couple showing their backs to each other, as in never want to see the person again?

Your username can be added at the bottom or top, it looks a little out of the place on the current cover. And the typography of the cover can be a little improved.

➵ Title: The title suits only the beginning chapters, more like five. After that, they just keep meeting and neither of them has this never meeting thing in mind - obviously, because of the job.

After the last line: I'm in awe. No change in title is needed.

➵ Blurb: The blurb is not that interesting. I would recommend changing it.

Instead of adding "{Book 1 in The Never series}" at the start. Add it at last.

And the plagiarism disclaimer can be shifted in an introduction chapter.

➵ Flow & pace: The flow went nicely. But for the pace part, it is difficult to tell. When it was time to make the readers feel the emotion "love" they have for each other - the pace and descriptions weren't enough. It felt their love is forced. I just couldn't find the moment where Neil would fall for Avni. Maybe you can try adding some more length to the chapters when you edit them.

➵ The plot of the book: I have mixed feelings about this plot. Sure, you have your ways to make your readers fall in love with this book in some chapters, but the plot is a little problematic. I'll share my proper views in the character development part because the characters are the main reason for the mixed feelings.

➵ Grammar: In starting chapters, you have used "her" for Avni, which is wrong - because those chapters were in her point of view. One doesn't refer to themselves as "her/him/they".

And in chapter 4, it seems like you forgot the book is in Avni's pov:

So, overall, the book needs editing, especially in the grammar part.

➵ Character development: I hate to break it to you, but I don't find the main characters that good. I'm not talking about their flaws.

Let's start with Avni, as the majority of the book is in her view.

Yes, her character does get an arc. It takes a lot of time but she finally becomes a strong woman. She talks about being a feminist in the starting chapters, but I feel she didn't even know the meaning of the word. No offence, but I don't think we should make fun of men who like to do grooming - for example, eyebrow plucking. Feminism in-depth means equality in everything. If Avni says she's a hardcore feminist I don't think she would have laughed at Neil for plucking his eyebrows repeatedly throughout the whole book. I know it's not a big point about her character, but it's the hypocrisy of her.

Her feminist self awakes at very random intervals:

(Ignore that timer. I need to check how much time I spend on each app.)

Uh, I don't get the meaning behind this sudden feminism. He just carried her to the bed, how is it sexist that she became a feminist here?

But didn't replied him here and didn't gave him his peace of mind?

Which freedom? He doesn't even let her wear anything she wants? Asks his bodyguards to not look at her - as if she's personal property. Or maybe my and Avni's definition of freedom is different.

And in the first five chapters itself she contradicted herself:

Chapter 2:

Chapter 5:

I would have ignored it all, but the mention of the two words "hard-core" caught my attention.

Her feelings for Neil:

Will you fall in love with a person, who:

1) Break down one of your family member's orphanage.

2) Remove you from your job even when he knows your mother has cancer and you don't have much money.

3) Gives moral policing to you. Saying you should always button up your last two buttons on your shirt as other men will see you.

4) Kisses you without your consent saying that was for to irk his enemy - who is obsessed with your looks.

5) Makes you see a blast where he said he kept your mother. But then he says your mother wasn't there. Isn't this manipulative behaviour? Playing with your emotions?

6) Always touching you without your consent. Consent is even a kiss is necessary. That's basic.

7) Orders you to marry him and then asks for your not-needed consent.

*

Overall, Avni's character was a little weird to me. No, I never expect any character to be flawless. But her contradictions were making me lose my patience.

The only time I applauded her was this:

Her character needs more attention, please make sure whenever you edit the book you give her feminist thoughts properly whenever there's gender inequality.

And I hope you remove the plucking joke because it's awful to joke about that. Men can do grooming, too. Men can also wear makeup and "feminine" clothes. There's nothing to laugh about this.

***

Now, let's go for Neil.

His character didn't get much development. He was still a sexist man. I could feel it.

Beginning chapters: Can I just say he's a man child? I get his ego problems, but seriously he behaves like a teenager bully at a high school. An orphanage doesn't matter to him in front of his ego? That's so insensitive. He could have just embarrassed her enough and made fun of her but that orphanage thing isn't the right thing to do. No, I'm not saying you should remove it. I just want to share my views about how I feel about Neil.

I don't know how he fell in love with Avni. There's no explanation about his feelings even in his point of view?

He wants to, I guess he does, controls her. Her clothes. When she meets another male - as if she'll run away with a stranger. Kisses her without her consent.

He knows he's toxic for her yet he is acting like he isn't!

I'm sorry but Mr Neil Khanna isn't setting any goals for me.

***

Their relationship:

The enemies to lovers trope are very difficult. I get that. And there are very high chances that the relationship will be a toxic one.

This book, too, has this problem. Their relationship is a toxic one.

How?

Orders the girl to change her clothes. Nice policing going over here?

Kisses her without her consent:

Kisses him without his consent:

Unknowingly knows they are toxic for each other:

Bottom line:

It's a toxic relationship. Even if they didn't get a happy ending, they didn't deserve to be with each other.

➵ Overall impression: I don't know what to say. I would bear the small hypocrisy of Avni, the male dominating behaviour of Neil, but not their toxic relationship.

➵ Suggestions:

- Cover needs a change.

- Blurb needs a change.

- Their realization/falling in love chapters need to be improved.

- Book needs major editing for grammar, plot, description, and characters.