Have you ever read a book that makes you feel like you are in your own memories? Can We Be Strangers Again? you will feel exactly like that after reading it. This book written by Shrijeet Shandilya has become a National Bestseller. This is an emotional novella that shows heartbreak, unspoken goodbyes and confusing emotions between friendship and love in a very good way.
This is not a simple love story but a loss story. And perhaps that is why it seems even more impactful.
Let’s get to know this loss story more closely.
Table of Contents
About The Book
- Title: Can We Be Strangers Again?
- Author: Shrijeet Shandilya
- Publisher: Penguine Ebury Press
- Genre: New Adult Fiction
- Pages: 228
- Language: English
About The Author
Shrijeet Shandilya: After completing undergraduate from Christ University, he is doing MBA from Goa Institute of Management. His writing style is simple, but compels you to think. His writing touches the emotions of all those young Indians who experience friendship, heartbreak and healing in college life.
Story Summary
The story of Can We Be Strangers Again? revolves around Dev, Tanishka and Avantika, three close friends who are always together. But with time their deep friendship changes, breaks and is tested by love.
Like every friendship everything goes perfectly among them – laughing, having fun and dreaming together but as the story progresses Dev and Tanishka fall in love with each other. In the beginning everything is cute and simple but with time the emotions get stronger. Then jealousy, insecurity and confusion creep among them which slowly start to destroy their friendship.
Then one day something happens which changes everything. Dev is heartbroken. He emotionally withdraws and tries to understand their relationship and where did he go wrong?
Will Dev ever be able to forgive Tanishka?
Can they become strangers again?
Or maybe they were never just friends?
This is not a typical love story. This is the story of such a relationship which is almost complete, but breaks in the middle.
Why This Book Touches The Heart
1. Pandemic-era setting which everyone will remember
The experience of starting college during COVID like Zoom classes, online friendship, late night calls which felt close and lonely too—all this has been shown clearly in this story. If you had college in 2020–21, this story will seem like your diary.
2. No Drama, Real Emotions
There are no big twists or shocking scenes in this story. There are only real emotions just like we all feel.No villain, just confused young people who make mistakes like we all do.
3.Painfully Relatable
Have you ever lost someone close to you who was everything to you? When a relationship ends, but the feelings remain-that weird space. This book perfectly shows the same pain, which we all must have felt some point of time in our life.
4. Small Book, Big Impact
Can We Be Strangers Again? is a compact novel (less than 230 pages), but every chapter is full of emotions.After reading it, you will feel as if someone has written a diary during a heartbreak.
Main Characters
Dev – Narrator of The Story
Dev is an emotional and caring boy. His love for Tanishka is true. Even when his heart is broken, you can connect with his feelings.
Tanishka – The Lover Turned Stranger
Tanishka is loving, a bit impulsive too, and remains confused about her emotions. She is not bad, she is just a human being who is struggling with her own emotions.
Avantika – The Silent Witness
Avantika does not speak much, she observes everything quietly. Ultimately she helps Dev to accept his truth like a real friend would do.
Key Themes & Takeaways
🔹 Love vs Friendship
When best friends start loving each other, things start changing—sometimes good, sometimes painful. Dev and Tanishka’s story shows how difficult it is to understand the difference between friendship and love.
🔹 Betrayal Without Closure
No fight, no breakup, just a moment of separation. A message that just remained on the ‘seen’. A birthday that was not remembered. All these small things hurt in love and friendship.
🔹 Grief Over What Could’ve Been
Dev not only misses Tanishka, but also the version of himself that was with her. When a relationship breaks, we also lose a part of ourselves with that relationship. This pain is felt a lot in this story.
🔹 Learning to stay alone again
In this story, healing does not mean a big emotional scene. Rather, it means small things like focusing on studies again, attending class, or smiling a little at Avantika’s jokes even when the heart is broken from inside.
Strong Points of the Book
🟢 Emotions seem real: While reading, you feel what Dev feel-his emotions, his confusion, his heart break.
🟢 It is small but impactful: The whole book can be read in one day but the essence of the story lasts for a long time. The story touches your heart.
🟢 Relatable Settings and Language: College life, conversations between friends on social media, their inner thoughts and ideas all seem real.
Slightly Weak Points
🔴 Secondary Characters Could be Sharper: Avantika and Tanishka’s characters could have been a little deeper. Sometimes they feel like background to Dev’s pain.
🔴 It can seem a bit slow: If you like Action-packed stories then this can seem a bit slow.
🔴 Melodramatic at Times: A few scenes feel like “Instagram quotes” inspired.
Quick Comparison Table: Can We Be Strangers Again?
| Aspects | Why It Works | Where It Might Fall Short |
| Emotional Depth | Feelings are deep and real | The plot is little light in the story |
| Character Arcs | Dev’s journey seems strong | The rest of the characters seem underdeveloped |
| Story Pace | Smooth and thoughtful | Some people may find it slow |
| Writing Styles | Lines are simple and poetic | Sometimes it seems too filmy or dramatic |
| Length | Can be read in 1-2 days | If story depth is required then it seems short |
Who Should Read This Book ?
✅ This book is perfect for you
-If you Like books that make you think like Normal People, It Ends With Us, or Eleanor Oliphant
-Have ever experienced a heartbreak that you never really talked about.
-Like books with short but emotional impact
❌ Skip this book if you
-Want an action-packed or fast-paced plot
-Like a simple and clear ending
-Like stories with complicated and multiple storylines
My Suggestion
| Reader Type | Recommendation |
| College Student/Recent Graduate | Must read- will be able to relate emotionally |
| Romance Lover | Should read- but don’t keep high expectations |
| Plot-Driven Novel Lover | May find it a little underwhelming |
| Poetic and Reflective Reader | Will definitely like its feel and writing style |
Want to Read It Instantly ?
No need to wait for shipping. The Kindle version of Can We Be Strangers Again? is available for instant download on Amazon.Click below to start reading it in just minutes:
👉 Download on Kindle from Amazon
Want to read it yourself?
You can buy Can We Be Strangers Again? from:
👉Amazon.in ( for Indian Readers)
👉 Amazon.com (For US Readers)
👉 Flipkart
👉 Snapdeal
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Final Verdict
Can We Be Strangers Again? Is not a typical romantic novel. It is a little too emotional, a little too sad, and feels very real. Nothing is resolved till the end but it forces you to think.
If you have ever loved someone from the bottom of your heart but today he has become a stranger or you have lost a friendship which has just disappeared in silence, then this story will speak to your heart.
🔸 Rating: 3.8 / 5
Not perfect but beautiful in terms of emotions.
Your Experience
Have you read Can We Be Strangers Again?
Did Dev’s story ever seem like yours?
Would you like to send a message to someone who has become a stranger?
Let’s talk in the comments or share this post with a friend who must read it.
🔴 If you’re preparing for competitive exams, you can also check out my detailed reviews of top Books to crack Competitive Exams here.
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