Meant To Be Review | Intertwined Series Book 2 by Neha Chehnani Khanagwal

A romance that felt warm, comforting, and quietly powerful

Meant To Be is the second book in the Intertwined series, and it begins from a place of closure. Rishabh and Nishi are finally married. The past that haunted them in the first book has been dealt with, and life seems ready to move forward.

But this story does not belong to them.

This time, the focus shifts to Kanika, Rishabh’s cousin, and Abhishek Sharma, his closest friend. And honestly, I liked this shift. Rishabh and Nishi remain present, but they do not overpower the narrative. Their presence feels supportive, almost protective, like they are quietly watching over things instead of controlling them.

Kanika and the weight she carries

Kanika enters the story already burdened. Living with Rishabh and Nishi in Mumbai is not the plan for her, not because she is unwelcome, but because she is constantly being judged. People assume things about her. About her intentions. About her privilege.

Being called a princess or someone who survives on status hurts her more than she admits.

This is also where Abhishek Sharma steps in. Arrogant. Guarded. Suspicious to the core. He believes women use men for money and power, and without knowing Kanika at all, he projects that belief onto her. When he confronts her, it is not protective. It is humiliating.

What stayed with me was how Kanika handled that moment. She tried to hold herself together. She tried not to cry. And when it became too much, she chose to walk away from everything instead of defending herself endlessly.

That decision felt real to me.

Starting over and the turning point

Kanika leaves overnight and moves to Bangalore with her mother. She gets a job. She works through the training period. She earns her permanent employee card. These details matter because they show effort. Nothing is handed to her.

Just when life starts to feel stable, her mother is diagnosed with stage 1 throat cancer.

This is where the story shifts emotionally.

Kanika does not ask for charity. She asks for a loan. What she is offered instead is a deal. Her boss promises to take care of all her mother’s treatment in the US, but in return, Kanika has to marry her son.

She agrees without knowing who the son is.

When she finds out it is Abhishek Sharma, the same man whose words shattered her, the coincidence feels cruel. Not dramatic. Just cruel.

What I appreciated was that neither of them enters this marriage with hope or romance. They agree because they are trapped in different ways. Kanika for her mother. Abhishek for his grandfather’s inheritance, which is tied to memory and emotion rather than money.

They settle on a one and a half year contract marriage. Practical. Restrained. Painfully realistic.

The story’s pacing and narrative style

One of my favorite things about this book is the way it is told. The story moves between past and present, slowly revealing things instead of rushing through them. Every time I thought I had figured out where it was heading, another layer unfolded.

Despite dealing with illness, betrayal, inheritance, and emotional baggage, the book never felt heavy while reading. That surprised me. It felt calm. Almost comforting.

Neha Chehnani Khanagwal has a very distinct writing style. The chapter titles are unique, and each chapter begins with a short poem or a few lines that hint at what is coming. They do not summarize the chapter. They prepare you for it emotionally. I have always loved this about her writing, and in this book, those lines felt especially beautiful.

Romance, chemistry, and character growth

The chemistry between Kanika and Abhishek is impossible to miss. The moment they are in the same room, you feel the tension building. Their banter feels natural. Their jealousy feels playful. Their heated moments give you butterflies without feeling forced.

Kanika’s character arc is written with a lot of grace. Her strength is quiet. She does not explain herself repeatedly. She chooses herself. She protects her identity. The fact that she is a black belt in karate does not feel like a gimmick. It feels symbolic of who she is.

Abhishek’s transformation is one of the strongest parts of the book. He starts off arrogant and difficult to like. But as the layers peel away, you see his flaws, his guilt, and his baggage. When he begins to change, it does not happen overnight. It happens through realization, regret, and effort.

By the end, he becomes one of those book boyfriends who raise expectations without being unreal. He is not perfect. He makes mistakes. But the way he shows up for Kanika, again and again, makes his growth deeply satisfying to read.

More than just romance

This book is not limited to romance and drama. There is family conflict, mafia connections, billionaire dynamics, and a lot of unresolved past that influences the present. Even the side characters feel important. No one feels like filler.

Health is also a subtle but strong theme throughout the book. The way Kanika takes care of her mother. The way Abhishek expresses love through protection and care. It reminds you that love often exists in the quiet, everyday acts.

As a romance reader, I felt this book had everything. Soft moments. Intense passion. Romantic scenes. Smut that never feels excessive. Nothing felt overdone. Nothing felt missing.

How it felt to close the book

When I finished Meant To Be, all I felt was warmth.

This was my first romance read of 2026, and it felt like the perfect way to start the year. Reading it felt like a sweet, breezy day where you are fully present. You smile without realizing it. You feel light. You feel comforted.

And just when the story settles, the author introduces a new lead, Samar, setting the stage for the next book in the Intertwined series. With old friendships, Devil’s Angels, and unresolved love, the anticipation for what comes next feels exciting and slightly chaotic in the best way.

Final thoughts

Meant To Be is a story about love, healing, trust, and growth. It is comforting without being shallow and emotional without being overwhelming.

If you enjoy romance that makes you feel warm long after you close the book, this one truly lives up to its name.