Unbelievably True

A recent headline in the publishing world screamed, “Prajakta Koli’s debut novel, Too Good to Be True, becomes a publishing sensation with 1,50,000 copies sold within a month of its release.” At a time when a novel that sells more than 5,000 copies is considered a bestseller, these kinds of numbers are truly astonishing. At the recently concluded Jaipur Literature Festival, Koli’s star power left most other authors in the shade. The deafening welcoming cheer for her at the Front Lawn could be heard all the way in the distant Author’s Lounge. With over 17 million followers across social media platforms (8.4 million just on Instagram), 31-year-old Koli, a YouTuber and actor, has more followers than popular writers like Amish Tripathi and Chetan Bhagat put together. And these followers are not only following her makeup routine or appreciating her jhumkas, they are clearly also buying her debut book.

Released in January 2025, Too Good to Be True is a romance novel, with little comedy and one surprise. It tells the story of 23-year-old Avani, a law student who works in a bookshop, and 31-year-old Aman Raina, heir apparent of Raina Textiles, popularly hailed as “bachelor of the year”. As her parents separated when she was young, Avani was raised by her doting grandmother in Pune, and she now banks on her three closest friends. Aman is the second son of loving parents, with whom he shares everything, and who send their son a private plane when he needs to travel from Mumbai to Mussoorie. Even at the risk of giving away spoilers, this novel has very few twists. The relationship between the two goes over a few potholes, a few mixed messages, one diversion, before everything is once again firmly back on track. And yet, it has clearly done something right. Evident not only in the sales figures, but also in the snaking, squealing lines of (mostly) young women and (a few) men who queue up to meet Koli (knowns as mostlysane by her fans) at events, and wait to get their copies signed.

Browsing through Too Good to be True’s 500-plus reviews on Amazon, the most frequently occurring descriptor is “relatable”. It is a word that Koli also often uses to describe her characters. I can’t help but wonder how did a book with a character who owns a plane, an Italian restaurant, and lives on the 19^th floor of an apartment block with the view of the sea become “relatable”?  The law student character might be more relatable, but then her grandmother is doing yoga with puppies… But perhaps this is just nitpicking.

Young readers are flocking to this novel because like with all romcoms they are assured of a happy ending. As one reviewer writes on Amazon, “Aman oh my God he’s the character every girl needs in life and the book is too positive, and positive is all we need in our life and all you need in 2025.” Aman can cook breakfast, he doesn’t drink, he looks hot in swimming trunks (which he wears “low, low, low on his toned, tight waist”), and of course, it helps that he is a billionaire. What is not to like? Avani’s friends even call him “Hot-Rod Raina”, in case we ever forget the measure of the man. Avani is a “book nerd,” she is “gorgeous”, (we are told repeatedly), she needs a few drinks to open up, and comes with her own insecurities and confusions.

Young readers are embracing this book because here are likeable characters in familiar situations. Avani, a proficient student, is struggling with exams for the first time. She wonders if her relationship status is affecting her academics. We hear nothing about the inner lives of her friends, but we know that she relies on them as both therapy couch and amusement park. Young readers perhaps relate to the sentiment, “Snapping—that was my language for my people. The people I loved.” There is lot of calling each other “Bitch”.  There are a lot of late night, early morning phone calls. This is a world where friends are always available, to lift the party and to brighten moods.

The novel is told from the perspective of the two protagonists, but in italics we also become privy to Avani’s inner voice. While the scenarios might seem farfetched, Avani’s inner conversations might grip young readers. This is perhaps the first time they are encountering a book in which their inner conversations are reflected—when to text a boy, what to text a boy, what is the boy thinking, what am I thinking?

A couple of Amazon reviews also mentioned—“this is my first book and I loved it”. If mostlysane is getting Gen Z to actually enter a bookshop, buy a book, and read it from cover to cover, she should be mostly commended for that.

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