Friends are a great support system irrespective of a person’s life stage. However, there are certain junctures where they become even more important and valuable. One such instance is in the early stages of one’s career, when it feels like we’re stepping into an entirely new world full of immense responsibilities, perceived or actual. Often, it requires us to be away from our families and familiar surroundings and the heart and soul years for strong hands to catch us when we fall and prop us back.
“Love at First Byte,” by Divya Ramaswamy perfectly captures this exact sentiment by depicting friendships forged in the workplace that go well beyond ‘just’ colleagues or casual acquaintances. As a reader states, “This book captures the essence of friendship beautifully,” the author describes the excitement and disappointments among close friends and no matter how far they could temporarily drift, the mutual affection and respect always draw them back together. Annika, the key protagonist finds her bearings in her first job with the help of colleagues turned inseparable friends – Kabir, Maggie, and Kriti. Added to the melee is a college friend, Ved.
The heartwarming interactions between them, how they are each others’ biggest cheerleaders, how they consistently prop each other up, and how they collectively work through different challenges is a key pillar of the novel. The author draws on her life experience and her set of close friends to portray these relationships full of love, care, and thoughtful regard. With true friends, no subject is taboo, no situation is too difficult to handle, and no joy is too small to not be celebrated with a hulking piece of cake!
Using the workplace as a base to develop her characters and explore their dynamics, the author weaves a compelling narrative that keeps readers hooked as much for Annika’s career growth as for her choices in love, while relying on her motley gang’s advice and inputs. A cheeky sense of humour infuses warmth and good-natured snark in the friends’ interactions, both inside and outside of the office. With remote work and virtual meetings not yet having made their way into the novel’s settings, it is refreshing to see and feel the impact of in-person interaction and how it shapes Annika and her friends’ careers and lives.
Having spent close to two decades in tech and marketing, Divya has made many friends for life through the years. However, her formative years in the workplace have heavily influenced her approach to her relationships. Having lived and worked in multiple countries and continents, the bond between her and closest friends continues to be strong despite the minor inconvenience of the seven seas and trans Atlantic flights getting in the way! While she strongly recommends going the extra mile to regularly check-in on friends and their well being, she doesn’t shy away from bribing them with baked goods and little knickknacks so they don’t ignore her texts and pings.
(“Love at First Byte” is presented by Suhail Mathur & The Book Bakers Literary Agency, and published by Vishwakarma Publications. It is currently available worldwide on Amazon and Flipkart)
