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Lean In To Relationships: Can trust defeat cultural bias? (A Narcissist's Memoir Book 3) Kindle Edition

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 30 ratings

Zehen is smitten by ephemeral beauty of Madeeha while studying for their masters in the US as immigrants. They fall in love and post completion of the course, he goes to Jordan to meet her.

The story captures how Zehen tries to reconcile with Madeeha and his own thoughts after a tough moment in their relationship. It also captures what he realizes: our life is never ours. We are nothing but a bundle of emotions for the people who love us and the people we love. The meaning of life is to optimize for the happiness of such people. There’s not much more to living.

(updated cover image)

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Rishabh runs a policy consulting company to manoeuvre social ascendance of marginalized communities by equalizing access to political capital.

Purveyor of wanting what you have and empathy, he has written a part-memoir, part-fiction novel series that recounts his transformational journey of turning a heartbreak into an opportunity to learn about himself and the world. He has solo travelled to all seven wonders of the world, and completed cross-country trips by train in India and in the US.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0749CLW5G
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Amazon KDP (July 25, 2017)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 25, 2017
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 337 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 252 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 30 ratings

About the author

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Rishabh Jhol
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Rishabh runs a policy consulting company to manoeuvre social ascendance of marginalized communities by equalizing access to political capital.

Purveyor of wanting what you have and empathy, he has written a part-memoir, part-fiction novel series that recounts his transformational journey of turning a heartbreak into an opportunity to learn about himself and the world. He has solo travelled to all seven wonders of the world, and completed cross-country trips by train in India and in the US.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
30 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2017
    It's such a gripping novel. I could relate so much to Zehen as he undertakes a coast-to-coast train journey and begins to process the roots of the fear and uncovers layers of personal loss, ideological and cultural isolation, and self-doubt. From within that he seeks resolution and the resolution is in the form of self-acceptance.

    The novel shows such personal healing journeys is finally not limited to the individual, that we leave the fragrance of our being in others. That we heal together.

    The novel uses Sufi philosophical terms to mark the journey to self-love and explores the tensions between Ishq-e-Mazizi (worldly love) and Ishq-e-Haqiqi (love for Divine).

    The novel uses the backdrops of various cities around the world to build its narratives – Cusco and Lima in Peru, Petra/Aqaba/Amman/Jerash in Jordan, New York/Philadelphia/DC/Chicago/Seattle/San Francisco. The cultures within each of these cities inform and influence the story so that each city becomes a character themselves participating in empowerment and liberation of protagonist. It's all so beautiful.

    I loved it and would recommend it to everyone.
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2017
    Relationships are very complex. Neither easy to start nor easy to maintain but easy to break. It takes two people to start a relationship but it takes a lot of struggle and effort from both sides to nurture and maintain a healthy relationship.

    Lean Into Relationship is basically Zehen’s experience with his various relationships. Travel liberates one’s self. It helps one to rediscover one’s true self and that’s what Zehen did after his heartbreak with Madeeha.

    This book also gives us a world tour but through Zehen’s eyes.

    The book though, is not an easy or casual read. This book is not a romantic story but an intense take on a person and his flaws. If you are looking for a thought-provoking, soul-searching and intense read on relationships then Lean Into Relationship is one.

    Some of the quotes in the book are so effective and strong that it makes one close the book (in my case the Kindle) and eyes and ponder on it and it stays for a very long time.

    But I wish in the end, along with Aisha there was some mention of Madeeha too because the major part of the story was about her and Zehen. So some information on how she moved on with her life after he left would have a plus point.

    So, my final verdict, if you ignore the little editing errors this book is definitely a good and intense read.
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2017
    Having not read the first two books, I was not sure if I will be able to connect with this one. But, it can be read on its own and I loved it. Especially the way the author has integrated travel in the narrative so vividly. For me, the best pages are the interactions between the protagonist and Madeeha. The author captures the myriad emotions in a relationship beautifully and the backdrop keeps you intrigued till the end. Cant wait to read the first two books.
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2017
    This book is a journey through some great cities and also into oneself. There is a glimpse of the famous American Dream which makes people flock to this country.
    The details, sometimes minor and at other times major, makes the book interesting. The author has opted for a different narration technique. It is a travelogue served with spices made of human emotions and garnished with philosophical and spiritual thoughts.
    I would have preferred a little more editing to make it crisper. And some of the words used seemed too lofty and interrupted the flow of the book.
    Overall, it is the protagonist’s journey through different places, love and life. As a reader it is a nice journey to embark on!
  • Amazon Customer
    Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2017
    I picked up this title on a flight to Europe thinking it'll a light read. While it wasn't heavy, it certainly wasn't fluffy either. Written in an easy-to-read and engaging manner, it was a perfect, thought-provoking read just before a trip. Travel and love, two things most people constantly think about, are interwoven in such a sensitive and complex manner by the author that it leaves with several thoughts floating in your head. I loved taking this journey with Zehen
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2017
    Okay. So what happens when you pick up a book thinking it is a romance and find out it is an autobiographical travelogue instead. You keep reading trying in vain to search for the story which is finally just one chapter tucked somewhere inside another story in the book, If it could be called a story at all. It is more an episode in the life of the writer.

    Every chapter introduces new characters, and you get a wonderful tour of the USA along with countries like Jordan and Peru.

    The book reads more like an “Eat Pray Love” except that the Pray has been replaced by “travel”.

    If you stop looking for the romance or the story, what you do find is a very nice turn of phrase, and some really deep observations and introspection. There are passages in the book, that make you want to copy them down in a note book for future reference or just because they are so well said.

    Like this one, “Heartbreak is never about two hearts. It is about that one single heart seeking validation. It is that one heart that needs acknowledgment from outside— of being welcomed in the Universe, of feeling included, of being reassured about existence.”

    Or the reason why friends do not keep in touch over the years, “After all, meeting old friends isn’t urgent; it cannot be a higher priority to, well, say doing a long overdue laundry.”

    So once you read the book like an autobiographical journey of self discovery, and ignore the grammatical mistakes , the book is pretty good.

Top reviews from other countries

  • Bala J
    5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect book to read while you travel, your next travel won't be same anymore
    Reviewed in India on December 3, 2017
    Author: Rishabh Jhol
    Edition: Kindle

    Lean into Relationships is not just a love story. Relationship could have multiple meanings. I was initially puzzled to begin reading this. The author in deed had kept that puzzle continued without losing the pressure in the bottle. I was amazed to know that a train journey with meeting different people and towns could possibly change ones attitude and future of their life and if so be, I am ready to take it up if this is in real. Author has kept a good pace and kept the thing moving without boring anywhere. No puzzling texts, simple words and very good phrases. I would have felt even happier if this was held at India. So next time when I visit such town, this book could recall those golden memory. Every town Zehen visits, he learns not only him but the reader himself. This book is a must to read and don't get swayed by the title and the cover.

    If you own kindle, try reading a sample if possible. Sure, you will get one. I got it for 49/-. Go grab one next time when you board a train and you will start loving every people and the town that you meet and visit!. Thanks to author for this amazing story

    Thanks for reading my review.
  • Dagny S
    4.0 out of 5 stars Book Review: Lean in to Relationships
    Reviewed in India on November 11, 2017
    I was highly skeptical when I began to read this book. The title was not exactly encouraging. Moreover, relationships? Er… um… I thought to myself. Pompously, as I found later.

    My first clue that I had stumbled onto something potentially delightful was when I read this:

    I am the spirit of love stories. I dwell in them, passing through narratives, to witness the landscape of lovers, and then to lay the fabric they weave before you.

    ~ Rishabh Jhol

    The spirit of love stories as the narrator? Oh, how intriguing!

    The next thing I found interesting was the professional background of the protagonist. Social Impact Leadership leading to engagement as a person who was development specialist and studied societies and gaps in access. The whole thing appealed immensely to me intellectually. My appetite for the story peaked. I wanted to know more about Zehen. I wanted to see how a man like that navigated the unstructured world of relationships. I wanted to take him apart and see what make him tick. I was hooked.

    The willing suspension of disbelief, a pre-requisite to let a story find breathing space within you, had happened. I was ready to embark on the journey that the author wanted to take me on.

    As I delved into the book, a surprising serenity pervaded me. I can’t pin-point the exact sentence which told me that the book would give me fresh perspectives and new insights. The solemnness with which the protagonist launched into his journey, rubbed off on me, somehow. I opened my eyes a little wider. The book lead me to discover pools of restfulness within me. What a surprise!

    I have not been disappointed in the book, quite the contrary. I have pulled out many observations that I find quote-worthy. Gems like these, for instance:

    Compromise – a scrunching of a dream, deletion of an arm of potential, becoming less than for another, as if we become together when we delete.

    ~Rishabh Jhol

    Deleting parts of yourself only so you can fit with someone else. Is there anyone who hasn’t experienced the trauma of that painful surgery? And even after wiping away a part of you, you find that you still did not fit. Oh the awful waste of it all!

    Barring a few typos and some random misuses of grammar in the latter half of the book, the language is more or less impeccable. It is such a relief when you don’t get snarled in frequent grammar goof-ups which distract you entirely from the story. You can happily focus on going where the narrative wants to take you, experience what the author wants you to experience so that you arrive exactly on the same page as the protagonist!

    For a book that affords such joys, this book is priced too low. I would willingly and happily pay many times over to read something as delightful as this. I wish I could transfer some cash to the author’s account. I would feel less like a cheat.

    Unfortunately, neither the title nor the blurb do the book justice. I almost didn't buy the book. Imagine what I'd have missed! One shudders to think of it.
  • Placeholder
    5.0 out of 5 stars Lean In To Relationships
    Reviewed in India on August 31, 2017
    Relationships! The most important part of life. One that should be a measure of success. But, we often ignore that fact in our fear of getting left behind in chasing our dream, or in fear of what could be or what couldn't. The author takes you on a riveting journey with him in which he exposes his vulnerabilities, and delves into grey aspects of every human beings mind. You get transported into the time and zone that he is in. Captivating read.
  • Sadhuvi
    3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting to read..
    Reviewed in India on December 5, 2017
    I love to travel and I believe that travelling rejuvenates us..It provides us with an opportunity to visit new places and teaches us both small and big lessons to take back home..

    Zehen, a social entrepreneur from India, loves to travel and is on a month long coast to coast travel across the US..He is a friendly person and he likes to have conversations with people he meet during travel..He has some past relationship failures and is confused a lot..He questions himself on what went wrong while he is in relationship with a person..Whether he finally understands about relationships forms the rest of the story…

    He is deeply in love with Madeeha, who works in Jordan to rehabilitate Syrian refugees..But he feels that she is strangely different, aloof and doesn’t try hard to please him or reciprocate his true love..He starts doubting her for a possible mujahid!!!Whether his doubt is proved or not and what happened to their love story at the end makes the book interesting to read..

    To be honest, while reading the beginning chapters of this book, I felt something was different and it was not a light read..I couldn’t connect with it, but after reading some more pages, I found it to be more appealing…Most of us have some expectations in any relationship and whether it is fulfilled or not decides the fate of our relationships!!! At times, we learn a lot even from strangers and this makes travel to be more special..

    Overall, I feel this book is interesting to read!!!

    My rating for this book is 3.5/5.

    Disclaimer: I received a digital copy of book in return for my honest review..I didn’t receive any monetary compensation for the same.
  • swati baweja
    5.0 out of 5 stars His Journey Motivated My journey!
    Reviewed in India on September 17, 2017
    beautifully written. it makes you feel alive and live the journey. intricate enough, felt a sense of movement reading this book.
    the journey of life takes a different route here and whata route!
    i am inspired to live my journey now!
    @the author: Rishabh, thanks!

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