Nick of Time by Komal Mehta

Book Summary: 

Nick of Time is a contemporary romance novel set in India (mostly in Chandigarh). 

The story follows Alehya, who returns to Chandigarh after ten years to attend the wedding of her childhood friend Shagun. She doesn’t initially realize who Shagun is marrying; she is surprised to find out that the groom is Vicky, a man she has disliked (and had a fraught relationship with) since their childhood. As the wedding nears, the dynamics between the three friends—Alehya, Shagun, and Vicky—become more complicated. Shagun, wanting her wedding to go smoothly and hoping her best friend and fiancé will get along, tries to mediate between Alehya and Vicky. Meanwhile, Alehya must confront her old feelings, resentments, and confusion. Vicky also has to deal with his own emotions and past misunderstandings. 

The novel deals with themes of friendship, love, timing (how sometimes meeting the right person at the wrong time can create problems), guilt, and the fear of missing opportunities. The interpersonal conflicts and misunderstandings are lightened by humor, familial and social settings (especially the wedding environment), and the inner emotional journey of Alehya especially. The pacing builds toward the wedding day, forcing the characters to make decisions—about what (or who) they really want—before it’s too late.

It’s a fairly light‑hearted romantic comedy / drama, with a Bollywood‑style flavor — misunderstandings, romantic tension, friendship conflicts, emotional reconciliations.

About the Author: 

Komal Mehta is an Indian author, this being her debut novel. Before writing Nick of Time, she had a background in engineering (B.E.) and an MBA in marketing.  She has also worked in film marketing. A notable part of her life is that she survived serious health challenges: she was diagnosed with kidney failure in 2011 and underwent dialysis, and later her mother donated a kidney to her. Despite this, she completed and published Nick of Time about a year after her surgery. Her work is appreciated for its relatable characters, use of colloquial language (including Hindi phrases), and settings that resonate with younger urban Indian readers. She writes about love, friendship, confusion, and personal growth in ways that feel everyday and real.