Book review: Till This Night and Better Once Than Never

Till This Night and Better Once Than Never

Nuhaa Bardien

Self-published

Review: Lauren O’Connor-May

These spicy Shakespearean-based romance novels by Brooklyn author Nuhaa Bardien were a pleasant surprise.

Many self-published books have passed my desk over the years, and most desperately need a red pen, but Bardien’s are the exception. While the novels were not perfect, they are, in my opinion, better than some of the books which have passed through experienced hands at well-established publishing houses and which I have reviewed.

The novels are the first in a planned series, loosely based on Shakespearean works. The interloping stories are set in England, but South Africa, especially Cape Town, features strongly in the narrative.

Till This Night is a twisted-up Romeo and Juliet retelling. Savi Ray, a British Indian, is a hotel chain heiress who is betrothed to an asswipe. She convinces her parents to let her study in Cape Town for six months before she marries family friend Rohan. 

The night before she leaves, her cousin Kalina convinces her to tag along to a spectacular party at the Montagues’ mansion. The Montague family are the Rays’ rivals, and, you guessed it, Savi falls instantly in love with their eldest son and reluctant heir, Ted. 

The two conduct a secret, long-distance correspondence until Rohan suddenly pushes the wedding forward and all but kidnaps Savi.

In Better Once Than Never, the sexual tension between Kalina and Ted’s best friend, Titan, which is alluded to in the first book, is given full vent when Kalina enlists the serial philanderer to help her get to the root of her dating troubles. 

The rest is romance novel trope history. 

Bardien’s books are spicy, sweet and swoony. They are a good fit for anyone in the mood for a quick read with guaranteed happily ever afters.