The World’s Best Boyfriend Review: Themes, Ratings, Characters, Writing Style, and More

Honestly, I initially thought of this book as a simple love story, but that is very unlikely of Durjoy Datta. If there’s anything the “World’s Best Boyfriend” does really well, it is making you question love, hate, complicated people, and their relationships. It’s not just about two strangers meeting, falling in love, and living happily ever after; rather, it shows how love can get messy, really messy. 

The novel constructs the story of Dhruv and Aranya, carrying their own issues. They love each other, hate each other, separate, reunite, and eventually become people who know how to hurt each other. This story is unconventional, and honestly, that’s what makes it more interesting and beautifully complicated. Let me take you through the World’s Best Boyfriend review, character analysis, themes, and emotional depth. 

Book Title	World’s Best Boyfriend
Author	Durjoy Datta
Genre	Romantic Fiction
Language	English
Publishing Year	2015
Number of Pages	296
Price Range	INR 200 to INR 250
Format	Paperback
Total Reading Hours	15-18 hours
Target Audience	Young Adult, Teenagers
Main Themes	Love, Heartbreak, Social Judgement, and Disability
Get Your Copy	Amazon
My Ratings	4/5

World’s Best Boyfriend Blurb: A Quick Spoiler-Free Synopsis 

“Easy love is no love. Love’s not love unless you’re laid waste by it, unless you’re destroyed by it, ripped apart and scarred for life by it.”

This is precisely the story of the World’s Best Boyfriend. The story begins with the childhoods of Aranya and Dhruv, two children shaped by their own struggles. While Aranya has had a condition called Vitiligo since birth, subjecting her to prejudice and discrimination from society and her own parents, despite being academically gifted, Dhruv eventually becomes emotionally unavailable and rude after his parents’ separation.  

Meanwhile, before Dhruv and Aranya could decipher what true love stands for, they fall in love and eventually become teenage sweethearts. What happens later turns the plot 360 degrees. After they’re caught together, a moment of bad decision changes the course of their lives and turns their love into deep resentment.

As Aranya grows into a scholar and a champion debater, Dhruv becomes an even angrier young man. As destiny brings them together, their only goal is to make each other’s life a living hell. As the blurb says, “Hate is a four-letter word, and so is love”. Read the story to find out. 

Target Audience: Who Should Read “World’s Best Boyfriend” and Who May Not Enjoy It 

Durjoy Datta’s novels are particularly appealing to the young-adult audience and teenagers. However, it’s a worthwhile read for anyone who enjoys fast-paced stories and simple and accessible writing. 

1. Readers Who Will Enjoy Reading This Novel 

• Fans of Durjoy Datta’s previous works. 
• Like contemporary romance fiction 
• Enjoys fast-paced storytelling and character development 
• Young-Adult Audience and Teenagers 

2. Readers Who May Not Like The Novel 

Although every book has plenty to offer, this novel may not appeal to the: 

• Readers who do not enjoy the romance genre. 
• Fans of Logic and Science Fiction Rather than Romantic Fiction
• Reader Who Like Slow Burn Romance

Themes That Stood Out To Me In the Novel “World’s Best Boyfriend” 

The novel is a true testament to a wonderful work by Durjoy Datta. This read was particularly interesting because of the depth and the issues that could be problematized further for a healthy public discourse. The themes that I resonated with were the treatment of disability, emotional and social turmoil, and, of course, the blurred lines between love and hate. 

1. Treatment of Disability and Ableism 

One thing that really impressed me about this novel is how it opens an important discourse around disability through Aranya’s experiences with vitiligo. Despite being academically brilliant, she was a subject of scrutiny and was often viewed through a derogatory lens by society, and even her family, a biological institution that is supposed to provide unparalleled love. 

The real idea is that disabled people do not want sympathy; rather, they seek equal and fair treatment, dignity, and acceptance. The novel, hence, questions how society treats disability as a deficiency and not a simple aspect of one’s identity. When Aranya meets Dhruv for the first time, he too laughs at her, which shows how normalised it is to mock those who look different, and to ridicule someone with a disability becomes an automatic first response. 

Not to forget about Dhruv, he is rendered mentally and emotionally disturbed by his parents’ separation. His desperation as a child for a healthy family is seen on the very first page of the novel. The disabilities which are not physical, like Dhruv’s, are often dismissed or not addressed adequately in a society. 

2. Love and Hate: The Paradox in the Blurb 

The blurb talks about how love and hate are both four-letter words, but often blurs the emotional lines and boundaries. The novel had an unconventional trope, from lovers to enemies. Aranya and Dhrub began their journey from school sweethearts to rivals, ready to make each other’s lives a living hell. 

Although it was quite interesting to see what happened and how they would take revenge, or to what extent they would push each other, at the same time, it’s painstakingly heartbreaking to see the couple you once rooted for transforming into bitter enemies. This emotional shift makes this relationship all the more tragic and heartbreaking for the audience. 

However, what I felt personally after reading their story is that most of the things that happened were the result of their unresolved emotional trauma and abandonment issues. 

Thoughts on Protagonists of the Novel “World’s Best Boyfriend”

The protagonists of the novel, the World’s Best Boyfriend, Aranya and Dhruv, are interesting and emotionally layered. They are perfect as lovers yet deeply flawed, which makes it even more interesting to trace their stories. 

1. Aranya 

Character Traits: Ambitious, Strong-Willed, Determined, Confident, and Outspoken 

Aranya’s character was my personal favourite. One thing particularly interesting for me is how Datta refuses to create fragile and conventional female characters in his novels, and Aranya is an example of that. Despite facing hardships throughout her life, owing to her skin condition, she still refuses to be bound by the thread of society’s derogatory remarks and does not let other people define her worth. 

She grows up to become a champion debater, highlighting that she is much more than her disability. However, what makes her character realistic is that she is not an unrealistically invincible woman. Like others, she carries body image issues, which sometimes leave her guarded, defensive, and bitter on occasion. Such flaws and wrong decisions, particularly the one that destroyed her relationship with Dhruv, make her character more human, someone who is prone to mistakes and wrong life decisions. 

2. Dhruv 

Character Traits: Charismatic, Emotionally Troubled, Passionate, Vulnerable, Possessive and Protective 

Dhruv’s character is interesting yet heartbreaking for me. Children dealing with emotional turmoil due to parents’ separation or toxic households are often less talked about in society. Interestingly, the novel constructs Dhruv almost like a fictional boyfriend: perfect physique, attractive personality, and deep love, commitment, and passion for his girlfriend Aranya. He becomes a person through whom Aranya learns to look beyond her insecurities. This makes him a kind of fictional boyfriend readers are easily drawn towards. 

However, like Aranya, he is not flawless. His unconditional love for Aranya does not make him a morally right person, but his unresolved trauma becomes a cause of resentment towards her. Even as a child, he mocked Aranya for her appearance. While his emotional trauma and childhood struggles help us understand his behaviour, it does not necessarily excuse or justify it.  

Did You Know? 

Durjoy Datta is also a well-established scriptwriter, known for his blockbuster shows, like Saada Haq, Veer ki Ardaas Veera, Kuch Rang Pyaar ke Aise Bhi, and more. 

This novel is quite similar to Saada Haq in terms of characterisation. Aranya is similar to Sanyukta, a strong and hard-working woman, while Dhruv resembles Randhir’s character in the show.

Durjoy Datta’s Writing Style in the Novel World’s Best Boyfriend 

Honest conversations, simple language, fast-paced stories, and fabulous character development are some features appealing particularly to Datta’s audience.  

1. Readability 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

From Datta’s writing, it is impeccably clear that he knows his target audience, particularly teenagers and young adults, and for this very reason, he uses contemporary language that is easy to understand, building interest in the audience. The language in the novel “World’s Best Boyfriend” is lucid and uses urban slang. Most of Durjoy Datta’s books follow the same approach, making it an effortless read, particularly for beginners in reading. 

2. Pacing 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Like Durjoy Datta’s many other novels, World’s Best Boyfriend is a fast-paced story, allowing readers to fly through the pages easily. This page-turner, combined with its lucid, simple language, makes it a great read for beginners. 

3. Character Development 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

If you enjoy reading about character development and evolution, then this is a must-read. The novel becomes particularly interesting when Aranya and Dhiren are caught, and a single wrong decision shapes their entire lives. Moreover, Aranya’s transformation from a neglected and discriminated child to a scholar and champion debater shows the strength of her character. It truly portrays her as an individual ready to fight against all odds. 

4. Dialogues 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Datta’s writing is marked by simple dialogue and everyday conversations without a hint of overdramatization or being filmy. Although for someone who does not like profane language, it can be overwhelming as the novel is heavy on modern-day cool words and slang. Overall, it’s worth reading for honest and open everyday conversations and stories. 

Overall Rating For Writing Style: 4/5

Books Similar to the Novel World’s Best Boyfriend 

If you loved the novel “World’s Best Boyfriend”, then here are some more novels by Durjoy Datta you must read: 

Books	Why You Should Read Them
World’s Best Girlfriend	Fast-Paced Story Love and Emotional Healing  Complex Parental Relationships
The Boy Who Loved	Themes of Mental Health and Societal Judgement  Diary-Entry Format  Complex Emotions
Till The Last Breath	High-Intensity, Single-Location Novel Polar Opposite Characters  Set against the backdrop of a Hospital

My Rating Breakdown

Category	My Ratings
Plot	4/5
Characters	4.5/5
Romance	4/5
Writing Style	4/5
Pacing	5/5
Overall	4/5

Final Verdict: Is the Novel “World’s Best Boyfriend” Worth Reading?

Yes, the novel “World’s Best Boyfriend” is a must-read romance novel because it goes beyond a plain romance story. Alongside romance, the novel opens important discourse about social and mental conditioning, including the prejudice against Aranya’s disability and Dhruv’s emotional turmoil caused by parents’ separation. Overall, I feel it’s an emotionally layered story that demands attention today. 

Hence, it’s a must-read if you enjoy:

• Emotionally Layered Narratives
• Social and Mental Themes
• Contemporary Romance
• Fast-Paced Narratives about Love, Breakup, and Romance 

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