Somebody I Used to Love

Somebody I Used to Love is a nostalgic tale of first love, dreams, and growing up—where innocence meets reality, and some goodbyes quietly shape who we become.

on Feb 11, 2026

Somebody I Used to Love is a tender, nostalgic love story that quietly pulls you back to the early 2000s—a time when friendships were built in cyber cafés, emails felt intimate, and love grew slowly, without filters or instant replies.

The story follows Ami and Nav, two young people with very different dreams. Nav, the sincere boy-next-door, is determined to make it to MIT, while Ami, vibrant and free-spirited, dreams of becoming an air hostess and touching the skies. Their worlds don’t naturally overlap, yet their connection feels effortless and real. What begins as a sweet meet-cute gradually unfolds into a deeper exploration of ambition, distance, timing, and the difficult choices that come with growing up.

The first half of the book is light, innocent, and deeply relatable. It feels like a warm ride down memory lane—college friendships, shared rooms, late-night conversations, and friends who go out of their way to help your first love succeed. The emotions are simple but powerful, reminding you why the idea that “pehla pyaar kabhi mukammal nahi hota” still rings true for so many of us.

Midway, the story takes a sharp emotional turn. The tone matures, the stakes rise, and suddenly the innocence gives way to reality. “Ekdam se waqt badal jaata hai, jazbaat badal jaate hain, aur zindagi bhi.” The second half carries surprising emotional weight—raw, intense, and reflective—making the ending linger long after the final page.

What stands out most is the emotional honesty. This is not an over-dramatised romance. It’s gentle, real, and unafraid to sit with silence, longing, and unresolved feelings. The writing is simple yet effective, especially impressive for a debut novel. The editing is crisp, the pacing balanced, and the inclusion of illustrations adds depth rather than distraction. Even the physical quality of the book—its pages and presentation—enhances the reading experience.

By the final chapter, the story feels less like a love story and more like a quiet conversation with your younger self—about love that didn’t last, people we outgrew, and how some goodbyes shape us in ways we only understand later.

Somebody I Used to Love is not just about falling in love; it’s about becoming someone new after love. Slow, heartfelt, and reflective, this book is perfect for readers who enjoy emotionally grounded stories that stay with them—long after they’ve turned the last page.

With the right cinematic treatment, it’s easy to imagine this story translating beautifully onto the screen. Until then, it remains a soft, lingering memory—much like the love it writes about.