HarperCollins India is publishing a new novel by Chetan Bhagat, a love story that marks his return to romance after the stunning success of his previous books. Written in his signature style, it has humour, heart and hope in equal measure. The book is available on preorder and will release on 1st October 2025.
Talking about the book, Chetan Bhagat says, “After more than 10 years, following the
success of 2 States and Half-Girlfriend, I have written a love story. 12 Years: My
Messed-Up Love Story is extremely close to my heart and is one of my best books —
if not the best book I have written so far. It’s funny, emotional, thought-provoking, and
a whole lot more. At its core, it tries to answer a timeless question: How do you know
if the special someone in your life is ‘the one’?”
Poulomi Chatterjee, Executive Publisher – HarperCollins India, says, “In book after
book, Chetan has captured the hearts of millions of Indian readers with stories that
resonate closely with their lives. I’m delighted that his new novel, 12 Years: My
Messed-up Love Story, brings him back to writing about the trials of love. In Chetan’s
inimitable style, the story is as tender as it is passionate, and as laugh-out-loud funny
as it is sharply observed. We at HarperCollins are so glad to be bringing it to readers
everywhere — this book is guaranteed to entertain and keep them hooked, and that’s
a promise!”
About 12 Years: My Messed-Up Love Story
He’s 33. She’s 21.
He’s a struggling stand-up comic. She’s a rising star in private equity.
He’s divorced. She’s never had a boyfriend.
He’s Punjabi. She’s from a conservative Jain family.
They shouldn’t be together. But they can’t stay apart.
Welcome to 12 Years: My Messed-Up Love Story.
Saket and Payal couldn’t be more different–age, background, beliefs. Yet, they’re
drawn to each other in ways they can’t explain. Is it just chemistry, or something
deeper? Is it madness and lust, or is it love?
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About the author
Chetan Bhagat is one of India’s most acclaimed contemporary authors, with fourteen
bestselling books to his credit. He is the author of ten blockbuster novels–Five Point
Someone, One Night @ the Call Center, The 3 Mistakes of My Life, 2
States, Revolution 2020, Half Girlfriend, One Indian Girl, The Girl in Room 105, One
Arranged Murder and 400 Days–and four successful non-fiction titles–What Young
India Wants, Making India Awesome, India Positive and 11 Rules for Life. Chetan’s
books have remained bestsellers since their release. Many of his novels have been
adapted into successful Bollywood films such as 3 Idiots, 2 States, Kai Po Che
and Half Girlfriend.
The New York Times called him the ‘the biggest-selling English-language novelist in
India’s history’. Time magazine recognized him amongst the ‘100 most influential
people in the world’, while Fast Company, USA, listed him as one of the world’s ‘100
most creative people in business’. Chetan writes columns for leading English and
Hindi newspapers, focusing on youth and national development issues. He is also a
motivational speaker, screenplay writer, YouTuber and podcaster.
Chetan quit his international investment-banking career in 2009 to dedicate his time
entirely to writing and driving positive change in the country. He studied at IIT Delhi
and IIM Ahmedabad. He is married to Anusha, an ex-classmate from IIMA, and they
have twin boys, Shyam and Ishaan.