I’ve always believed in being honest with my readers, so here it is—my stories are a mix of reality and fiction, about 50% each. But Hearts Aligned is different. This book is personal—around 80% of the scenes are pulled straight from my own life.

I know I’m still young, but I was in a relationship for over three years before it ended. It’s ironic how much it still hurts, even though I know it was for the best. When I started working on Hearts Aligned, it just naturally took shape as a college romance. Back then, we were both in school, and later we moved on to college—different colleges—but those years shaped so much of who I am. As I developed the story, so much of it just felt right to include because it was real—it was mine.

Originally, I was planning to give Abhimanyu’s story a sad ending, just like mine. I never thought he would get a second chance at love—just like I didn’t. But somewhere along the way, it just felt right to make it a happy ending. Maybe it was my heart wanting to believe that second chances can work out. Abhimanyu took that chance, and it turned out to be the best decision for him—something beautiful and worth fighting for. But in my reality, giving that second chance completely destroyed me.

It’s strange how writing this book made me realize that I unknowingly gave Ekta and Abhimanyu the ending that Gauri always wanted. If they get their happily ever after, it feels like a small part of my dream is fulfilled too. Writing this book was emotional, but it was also healing in a way. Maybe it’s just comforting to know that somewhere—in fiction, at least—things turned out okay.

I hope Hearts Aligned gives you that same sense of hope and belief that love can find a way, even if it’s just within the pages of a story.