Why This Thing Called Love Is the Best Romance of 2025
This thing called love
Author : Deblina Bhattacharyya
The Romance Sensation of 2025
Every year, a handful of romance novels rise above the rest and become more than just books, they become moments. In 2025, that honor belongs to This Thing Called Love by Deblina Bhattacharyya. Already a bestseller, endorsed by none other than actress Genelia Deshmukh, and celebrated across both Indian and international reading communities, this novel is being hailed as one of the best romance books of the year.
But what makes this book stand out in a sea of romance titles? Why is This Thing Called Love showing up on bestseller charts, Instagram reels, Bookstagram posts, and countless late-night book club conversations? Let’s dive into why this novel has captured hearts everywhere.
A Romance That Blends East and West: Paris × Kolkata
At its core, This Thing Called Love is a story that feels both deeply Indian and universally relatable. With a setting that flows between Paris and Kolkata, it combines the sophistication of a global romance with the warmth and traditions of Indian storytelling.
For international readers, this cross-cultural setting feels fresh and unique. For Indian readers, it’s a matter of pride: a homegrown story that’s competing with global romance giants—and winning.
The Trope Power: Why Romance Readers Are Hooked
Romance readers are passionate about their favorite tropes, and This Thing Called Love checks all the right boxes:
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Marriage of Convenience: Two strangers forced into a bond neither expects.
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Forced Marriage: A classic setup that creates instant tension and drama.
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Slow Burn Romance: Longing looks, patient sacrifices, emotional walls slowly crumbling.
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Book Boyfriend Material: Deven, the hero, is soft, kind, patient—everything readers want in a fictional partner and an ideal husband.
These tropes aren’t just gimmicks—they’re executed with emotional depth. That’s why readers who usually stick to Western clean romance are falling in love with an Indian story.
Meet the Characters Readers Can’t Stop Talking About
Deven: The Book Boyfriend of 2025
Orphaned young, raised in Paris, and now a romance writer himself, Deven embodies the perfect mix of vulnerability and strength. He is soft-spoken, thoughtful, and endlessly patient – the kind of man who doesn’t just love, he cherishes.
“When you love someone with all your heart, you don’t give up on them – you wait, even when it hurts.”
In 2025, when readers are tired of arrogant playboys, Deven feels like a refreshing breeze. He’s not just a book boyfriend; he’s husband material.
Amaira: Fierce, Flawed, and Relatable
Amaira, fiery and passionate, believes in independence and carries the scars of a broken family. Her bond with her grandfather grounds her, but circumstances push her into a marriage she never wanted.
On the very first night, she sets the rules: it’s temporary, destined to end in divorce. What follows is a tug-of-war between her walls and Deven’s unwavering patience.
Readers love her because she isn’t perfect – she’s messy, defensive, and vulnerable in ways that feel real.
Themes That Resonate in 2025
Why is this book everywhere right now? Because its themes mirror the emotional struggles of today’s world:
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Healing from trauma: Both characters carry scars, and the story shows how love can be a balm.
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Cross-cultural identity: Paris and Kolkata collide, showing how love transcends borders.
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Fragile marriages: In a time when relationships feel disposable, the book reminds us of commitment and patience.
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Unrequited love and redemption: Themes every reader has lived in some form.
These aren’t just plot devices, they’re reflections of conversations young adults and adults are having daily about love, trust, and resilience.
Celebrity Endorsement and Bestseller Status
When Genelia Deshmukh picked This Thing Called Love, it wasn’t just a casual book haul – it was a spotlight moment. Fans of the actress flocked to see what the fuss was about, and suddenly the book gained traction beyond typical romance circles.
Add to that its official bestseller category status, and you have a book that isn’t just loved by niche romance readers- it’s become a mainstream cultural sensation.
Social Media Buzz: From Bookstagram to Romancestagram
Search This Thing Called Love on Instagram and you’ll see reels filled with quotes, emotional reactions, and aesthetic edits of Paris × Kolkata love stories.
Why? Because the book delivers shareable moments:
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Quotes that double as Instagram captions.
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Emotional scenes that make readers cry on camera.
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A slow burn so intense, fans want their life partner to be like Deven.
In the age of viral content, this book is built for the digital era.
Why It Stands Out from Other Romance Books
There are hundreds of slow burn romances and marriage-of-convenience stories, but This Thing Called Love stands out because:
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It’s clean romance – emotional intensity without graphic scenes.
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It’s written by an Indian author, proving global tropes thrive in desi storytelling.
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It balances idealism and reality, making readers both dream and reflect.
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It delivers relatable characters not billionaires or fantasy royals, but flawed, believable people.
This mix is exactly what modern romance readers crave.
The Future: A Duology Worth Waiting For
Fans don’t have to say goodbye just yet – This Thing Called Love is the first in a duology. That means there’s more of Deven and Amaira’s journey to come. If the first book has already created this much buzz, the sequel promises to be an even bigger event.
Final Thoughts: Why Everyone’s Talking About It
So, why is This Thing Called Love the romance phenomenon of 2025?
Because it blends timeless tropes with fresh cultural perspectives, adds the star power of a celebrity endorsement, and delivers a love story that feels both comforting and transformative.
“I hugged this book the moment I finished it. It felt like a warm embrace—the kind that lingers long after you’ve turned the last page.”
If you’re a romance reader searching for your next book boyfriend, a story that will make you cry, smile, and believe in love again, This Thing Called Love is the book you cannot miss.
Further Reading & Resources
1. Full Book Review
Read my complete review of This Thing Called Love for an in-depth look at the story, characters, and emotional impact.
2. Emotional Quotes Breakdown
Dive into the most emotional quotes from This Thing Called Love and see why readers can’t stop sharing them online.
3. Celebrity Endorsement
See Genelia Deshmukh spotted reading This Thing Called Love on Instagram, a moment that helped the book gain even more popularity.
Which book have you read recently that completely stayed with you? Share your pick in the comments below, I’d love to know!
This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Bohemian Bibliophile
Not a sucker for romances but this one has some depth and the theme even though repetitive through ages , appeals to me. Everyone wants a great partner and a happy ending,isn’t it!
Absolutely loved reading your review of This Thing Called Love by Deblina Bhattacharyya! You’ve captured the essence of the book beautifully. The way you described the slow-burn romance between Amaira and Deven, along with the exploration of themes like forced marriage and cross-cultural identity, really resonated with me. I can’t wait to dive into this book myself.
I like romance and Paris. And I didn’t know Genelia Deshmukh likes reading and endorsing authors! I would pick it up the story though–lots of tropes as you said, but love is such a sublime emotion, it makes you feel so good.
Loved how you reviewed this book, Sameeksha. You introduced it to us, gave us tiny peeks into the story and the characters, and left us to decide whether to read it. Wholesome review that is sure to help the book and author.
This is my kinda book. I thrive on romances, and your review of This Thing Called Love has made my fingers itch for a copy. Your review is comprehensive and detailed. I would love to hear how they overcame all the difficulties and ended with- ‘And they lived happily forever’
I just finished your review of Why This Thing Called Love, what a glowing piece, and I totally see why it resonated so much. You really nailed how Deblina Bhattacharyya weaves emotion with realism… the kind of romance that makes you believe in second chances without ever becoming saccharine. Your take makes me want to read it now.
That’s a different kind of romance – a cross-cultural arranged marriage between two individuals with vastly different personalities. Got to check out for sure.
Romance once was my favorite genre but now it dropped to number 3…. But reading your review I think I should give it a try.
I’m loving your review of the book..i think I will be adding this to my TBR..thanks for sharing this
You made This Thing Called Love sound irresistible! Loved how you pointed out the blend of East-West setting, real characters, and emotional depth. Definitely checking this one out. Thanks for the rec
More than the review, I love how you’ve written it—broken it down, making it relatable in a way that as soon as you finish reading the review, the next thing one would want to do is to buy the book. Well done!
This review is vibrant, detailed, and utterly compelling! You capture the magic of the romance, the depth of the characters, and the cultural nuances beautifully.
I’m not much into romance but an east-meets-west story is tough to ignore! I loved Deven’s character and would love to see how this unusual love develops over time. Not much for tropes, but this book has many!