Some Reinventions Aren't Escapes
Sumaya Adams reviews 'It's Complicated' by Nivashni Nair Sukdhev
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Publisher: Jonathan Ball Publishers
Type: Novel
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Date Released: February 2026
Retail Price: +/- R260
Format: Paperback (272 pages)
It's Complicated is a heartwarming yet layered novel about second chances, love, healing, and the weight of the past.
The story follows Kaavi Archary, who has left behind the glamour of an international modelling career in favour of a quieter life in the small town of Rally. There, she spends her days volunteering with troubled teenage girls, building meaningful friendships, and embracing the sense of peace she has long been searching for. However, the fresh start she has carefully built is threatened by a secret from her past: a husband no one knows about. When Neel unexpectedly arrives in Rally, Kaavi is forced to confront old wounds, family trauma, and the question of whether she can learn to trust again.
I binged this book.
The story pulled me in so effortlessly, and I became deeply invested in Kaavi and Neel's journey. Two years after Kaavi walked away from their secret marriage, Neel arrives in Rally, determined to finalise their divorce. The unresolved feelings between them, combined with the mystery of what truly caused their relationship to unravel, kept me turning the pages as I rooted for them to confront their past and find a way forward.
The narration is one of the novel's standout qualities. Nivashni Nair Sukdhev's engaging and accessible writing style creates an immediate connection with both the characters and the story. The narrative moves at a steady pace, effortlessly blending moments of humour, tension, and emotional depth. This immersive storytelling made the novel incredibly difficult to put down; I found myself completely absorbed in Kaavi and Neel's journey and eager to discover how their story would unfold.
What stood out most for me was how the relationships between Kaavi, her family, and Neel aren’t idealised. They’re messy, strained, and deeply human. The miscommunication between Kaavi and Neel, the lingering hurt, past traumas, and the vulnerability all felt authentic and, at times, painfully relatable.
One of the aspects that makes It's Complicated particularly appealing to South African readers is its strong sense of place and cultural familiarity. Set in a fictional town in KwaZulu-Natal, the novel captures the nuances of family dynamics, community ties, and intergenerational relationships in a way that feels authentic and recognisable. The characters navigate challenges that, while universal, are grounded in a distinctly South African context, allowing local readers to see elements of their own lives, families, and communities reflected in the story. At the same time, the themes of love, forgiveness, trust, and second chances ensure that the novel's appeal extends beyond its setting.
Kaavi's relationship with her father was incredibly difficult to read. As a police officer, he abused both his authority and his position to control and punish her and her mother, creating a home environment shaped by fear and intimidation. Watching the extent of his cruelty unfold, including the devastating consequences that ultimately led to Kaavi being jailed, was heartbreaking and added significant depth to her character and resilience.
Those moments were heavy and heartbreaking, adding depth to her character.
The novel doesn’t merely focus on romantic relationships. Kaavi has to navigate her past traumas, her evolving sense of identity, and the emotional challenges of starting over in a life that no longer resembles the one she left behind. The grandfather is easily my favourite character. His presence brought warmth, wisdom, and a quiet emotional anchor to the story. There is a moment when he speaks about forgiveness where I genuinely teared up. It was such a powerful reminder of how healing and difficult forgiveness can be…
“Forgiveness is not an easy path. It is not about forgetting or excusing the hurt we have endured. Instead, it is about freeing ourselves from the chains that shackle us. It is about letting go of the anger and resentment that are weighing us down. It is about recognising that, while we cannot change the past, we have the power to find peace… to be happy… to be free. Free.”
The story is engaging and immersive, balancing tender moments with frustration in such a way that when her grandfather asked, “What is wrong with my grandchildren?” I burst out laughing.
It's Complicated explores second chances, trust, and whether love can truly survive the damage of the past.
Sometimes love is messy. Sometimes it’s uncertain. And sometimes… It’s Complicated.
About the author
Sumaya Adams
Sumaya Adams is a Cape Town-based book reviewer, literary contributor, and enthusiastic collector of fictional trauma. She spends an unreasonable amount of time reading – sometimes with six books on the go, at once, because apparently one story at a time is far too sensible. She can demolish eight episodes of her favourite series in one sitting and has a particular appreciation for blood, betrayal, monsters, morally questionable characters, and spectacularly bad decisions. When she's not reading or disappearing down one of her many hobby rabbit holes, she's probably got 90s R&B playing somewhere in the background and is emotionally attached to a book that is most certainly going to ruin her life. And somewhere in all of this chaos is, a novel that she's been writing for the past three years, is on its way, one day, but she will need to stop reading, long enough, to actually finish it. Probably.
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